sexual desire

Ache for intimacy

Sexual desire is the urge toward sexual activity or gratification—the wanting of physical intimacy with another person or of sexual release.

It ranges from fleeting attraction to intense longing: She felt a sudden sexual desire for him.

The phrase appears in clinical, legal, and everyday contexts where *lust* or *horniness* might seem too casual or crude.

lust

craving

Powerful urge to have

yearningIntense prolonged craving
longingIntense, persistent desire
hungerNeed for nourishment

thirst · wanting · lechery · lasciviousness · concupiscence · carnality · covetousness · temptation · seduction · fantasy

libido

drive

Operate a vehicle

arousalStirring to heightened state
urgeStrong inner drive
appetiteDesire for food

hormones · testosterone · estrogen · potency · virility · vitality · energy · motivation · instinct · impulse

passion

ardor

Intense emotional warmth

fervorIntense emotional intensity
intensityStrength or force level
fireCombustion with flames

flame · heat · burning · romance · intimacy · attraction · infatuation · devotion · amour · eros

Categories

sex therapysex therapy, sex therapist, sexologist, sexual dysfunction, couples therapy

Opposites

presence/absence of erotic drive

sexual desireasexuality

Lack of sexual attraction

frigidity · celibacy · chastity · abstinence · impotence

type of attraction/affection

sexual desireplatonic love

Emotional bond sans desire

brotherly love · sisterly love · filial love · parental love · agape

attraction vs. aversion

sexual desiredisgust

Intense physical aversion

revulsion · antipathy

Family

desire, pansexual, sexuality, bisexual, homosexual, asexual, heterosexual, sexualize, nonsexual

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13