eroticism

/ɪˈrɒtɪsɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈrɑːtɪsɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈrä-tə-ˌsi-zəm/ (ame, mw)

eroticism — noun

1. the quality of suggesting or dealing with sexual feelings, especially when this

1.名詞C1
釋義

the quality of suggesting or dealing with sexual feelings, especially when this is a deliberate feature of artworks, books, or films

例句

Yuna's photography captures eroticism through the play of shadow and light on nude bodies.

captures eroticism — collocation for expressing quality

The novel's eroticism caused heated debates among literary critics in Paris.

同義詞
  • sensuality

    broader — includes all physical pleasures, not just sexual ones; can apply to food, touch, textures

  • sexuality

    more general — covers identity, orientation, and expression, not just the aesthetic quality of a work

  • carnality

    more formal and often negative — emphasizes raw bodily appetite over artistic suggestion

反義詞
  • prudishness

    the quality of being easily shocked by sexual matters

  • innocence

    lack of experience or knowledge about sex; opposite of sophistication in art

文法句型

the eroticism of [noun]

[adjective] eroticism

用法筆記

Common in art criticism and literary analysis. Often modified by adjectives such as subtle, raw, explicit, or dark.

常見錯誤

❌The painting has a lot of eroticism.
✅The painting has a strong erotic quality.
💡Eroticism is an abstract quality that works of art express or possess, but sounding natural requires a modifier or description rather than quantifying it.

2. the physical or emotional condition of feeling sexually excited or experiencing

2.名詞C1
釋義

the physical or emotional condition of feeling sexually excited or experiencing sexual desire

例句

The slow rhythm of the music added to the eroticism of the evening.

added to the eroticism — collocation for intensifying

Nadia could feel the eroticism building as they danced closer together.

同義詞
  • arousal

    more clinical and bodily; describes the physical state of sexual excitement specifically

  • desire

    broader — can be non-sexual (desire for success) and less intense

  • lust

    stronger and more negative — emphasizes raw, urgent sexual appetite over mood or atmosphere

反義詞
  • frigidity

    clinical term for lack of sexual responsiveness

  • chastity

    the state of abstaining from sexual activity; a deliberate choice rather than a lack

文法句型

a feeling/sense/wave of eroticism

charged with eroticism

用法筆記

Describes a mood or atmosphere rather than a clinical response. Frequently found in descriptive writing about music, dance, food, or fragrance.

常見錯誤

❌He felt eroticism.
✅He felt a surge of eroticism.
💡Eroticism is usually described with a qualifier (a wave, a sense, a feeling of) rather than used as a direct object of feel.