eroticism
Carnal desire's expression
Eroticism is sexual desire or the quality of arousing it.
The term applies to art, literature, and imagery that depicts or evokes sensuality: The film's eroticism made censors nervous.
Unlike pornography, eroticism often implies aesthetic intent or subtlety—suggestion rather than explicitness.
The word can also describe a general atmosphere or quality: an air of eroticism.
Intense carnal appetite
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- appetiteDesire for food
hunger · urge · infatuation · obsession · arousal · attraction · temptation · seduction
Unclothed state
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- aestheticsTheory of beauty
gaze · titillation · decadence · transgressive · avant-garde · Botticelli · Venus · Aphrodite
Relating to physical urges
- lustfulFeeling strong sexual desire
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- driveOperate a vehicle
- aphrodisiacArousal-inducing substance
pheromones · virility · potency · randy · stimulation · titillation · horniness · foreplay
Gentle loving touch
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- velvetThick-pile textile
- perfumeFragrant liquid for wearing
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
massage · skin · warmth · softness · satin · lace · lingerie · scent
State of proximity
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- embraceHold closely in arms
connection · vulnerability · trust · consent · bonding · skin · caress · whisper
Enticing someone romantically
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- amourRomantic liaison, often illicit
- trystSecret romantic meeting
rendezvous · liaison · affair · paramour · lover · suitor · wooing · enchantment
Not allowed
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
- illicitProhibited by law
prurient · censorship · pornography · scandalous · lewd · explicit · profane · deviant
lust
Intense carnal appetite
appetite · hunger · urge · infatuation · obsession · arousal · attraction · temptation · seduction · want
nude
Unclothed state
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
aesthetics · gaze · titillation · decadence · transgressive · avant-garde · Botticelli · Venus · Aphrodite · tasteful
carnal
Relating to physical urges
aphrodisiac · pheromones · virility · potency · randy · stimulation · titillation · horniness · foreplay · kink
caress
Gentle loving touch
candlelight · massage · skin · warmth · softness · satin · lace · lingerie · scent · musk
closeness
State of proximity
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
embrace · connection · vulnerability · trust · consent · bonding · skin · caress · whisper · breath
seduction
Enticing someone romantically
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- amourRomantic liaison, often illicit
tryst · rendezvous · liaison · affair · paramour · lover · suitor · wooing · enchantment · passion
forbidden
Not allowed
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
illicit · prurient · censorship · pornography · scandalous · lewd · explicit · profane · deviant · perversion
- erotic classicsOvid, Sappho, love poetry, forbidden love, sexual symbolism
- sexualitysexual orientation, sexual behavior, sexual identity, bisexual, sensuality
- erotic poetrylove poetry, love poems, love sonnets, Sappho, Ovid
- intimacykiss, hug, embrace, closeness, snuggling
- lustlust, lustfulness, carnality, concupiscence, libido
- seductionseduction, seductive, allure, beguilement, enticement
eroticismfrigidity
Extreme coldness or aloofness
frigidness · asexuality · coldness · dispassion · unresponsiveness
eroticismprudery
Excessive concern with decorum
chastity · modesty · puritanism · prudishness · wholesomeness
eroticismplatonic love
Emotional bond sans desire
celibacy · abstinence · agape · brotherly love · spiritual love