carnal
/ˈkɑːnl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːrnl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkär-nᵊl/ (ame, mw)
carnal — adjective
- carnalpositive
- more carnalcomparative
- most carnalsuperlative
1. describing physical desires and pleasures of the body, especially sexual ones, r
describing physical desires and pleasures of the body, especially sexual ones, rather than matters of the mind or spirit
Siti felt the temple's quiet halls offered peace away from carnal distractions.
For Brother Thomas, fasting was a way to resist carnal urges.
collocation: carnal urges
Dimitri's poems mixed spiritual longing with frank carnal imagery.
The monk warned that carnal pleasures offer only a brief, shallow satisfaction.
Zara found the novel's carnal descriptions too graphic for the book club.
- sensual
more neutral in tone; can describe pleasant sensory experiences without the negative or religious overtones of 'carnal'
- fleshly
similar in meaning and register but more archaic; rarely used in modern English
- physical
much broader term covering anything related to the body; lacks the specific connotation of desire or appetite
- voluptuous
emphasises luxurious, indulgent pleasure; often describes appearance or lifestyle rather than abstract desires
- spiritual
relating to the soul or religious matters rather than the body
- intellectual
relating to the mind and reason rather than bodily appetites
- platonic
describing love or friendship free from sexual or physical desire
用法筆記
Typically used in formal, religious, or literary contexts. In everyday language, people more often say 'physical' or 'sexual' depending on the intended meaning.