eros

IPA/ˈɪərɒs/
KK[ˈɪrɑs]IPA/ˈɪrɑːs/

eros — noun

1. in ancient Greek stories, the god who makes people and gods fall in love with on

1.nounB2
Definition

in ancient Greek stories, the god who makes people and gods fall in love with one another, often shown as a winged boy carrying a bow and arrows

Example

In Greek mythology, Eros is the mischievous son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

The museum's new exhibit features a marble statue of Eros from the fifth century BCE.

pattern: statue/painting/fresco of Eros

Common collocations
  • statue of Eros
  • Eros and Aphrodite
  • arrow of Eros
  • god Eros
Synonyms
  • Cupid

    the Roman equivalent of Eros; more commonly known in modern Western culture

  • Amor

    the Latin name for Cupid, used in poetry and Renaissance art

Usage Note

In Greek mythology, Eros is a specific named god (capitalised), while the Roman equivalent is Cupid. The name is always capitalised when referring to the deity.

Common Mistakes

I bought a painting of eros for my living room.
I bought a painting of Eros for my living room.
The god's name must always be capitalised.

2. a powerful feeling of physical and romantic attraction toward another person, of

2.nounC1
Definition

a powerful feeling of physical and romantic attraction toward another person, often connected with the natural urge to be close to someone in a sexual way

Example

The psychologist explained that human behaviour is partly driven by eros and the need for connection.

pattern: driven by / motivated by eros

Plato's symposium discusses whether eros is simply physical desire or a path to higher beauty.

Common collocations
  • feel eros
  • experience eros
  • eros and thanatos
  • driven by eros
  • eros toward
Synonyms
  • desire

    much more common and informal; can refer to any strong wanting, not just sexual

  • lust

    stronger physical focus, sometimes seen as crude; less neutral than eros

  • passion

    covers both sexual feeling and intense enthusiasm for an activity

  • attraction

    more general; does not necessarily imply a sexual component

Antonyms
  • aversion

    a strong feeling of dislike or unwillingness

  • indifference

    lack of interest or feeling; neither positive nor negative

Usage Note

More formal and literary than 'desire' or 'lust'. Common in psychology, philosophy, and literary criticism. Not used in everyday conversation about romantic feelings.

Common Mistakes

I felt eros for the new barista.
I felt attracted to the new barista.
Eros is a technical or literary term; it sounds unnatural in casual dating contexts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Eros is the most formal and literary of these four words, appearing mainly in discussions of psychology, philosophy, and art. Desire is the broadest and most neutral term — you can feel desire for food, sleep, success, or a person. Lust is narrower and more intense, focusing almost exclusively on physical craving; it can carry a negative or crude tone in some contexts. Passion overlaps with eros but also covers non-sexual fervour, such as passion for music or politics, and suggests emotional intensity rather than purely physical drive. Attraction is the gentlest and most general word, covering everything from romantic interest to simple curiosity. While you might say 'I felt attracted to him' in casual conversation, using 'eros' in the same context would sound academic or affected.

desire ↗lust ↗passion ↗attraction ↗

Etymology

Ancient GreekLatinEnglish

Eros comes from the ancient Greek word ἔρως (eros), which meant 'love' or 'desire' — both the feeling and the god who personified it. The Greeks used the same word for the powerful, often uncontrollable force that pulls people toward beauty and closeness. Latin borrowed it as 'Eros', and English adopted it directly from Latin in the 1500s, first as the god's name and later as a general term for romantic and sexual love.

First known use

1671

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1