prurient

[proor-ee-uhnt]

adjective

1. having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc.

2. causing lasciviousness or lust.

3. having a restless desire or longing.

prurient

/ ˈprʊərɪənt /

adjective

1. unusually or morbidly interested in sexual thoughts or practices

2. exciting or encouraging lustfulness; erotic

Other Word Forms

• prurience noun
• pruriency noun
• pruriently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prurient¹

1630–40; < Latin prūrient- (stem of prūriēns ), present participle of prūrīre to itch

Word History and Origins

Origin of prurient¹

C17: from Latin prūrīre to itch, to lust after

Example Sentences

Otherwise, the only other mildly memorable role is a prurient neighbor played by David Cross, who is really just there to lend the indie production his star clout.

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Actually, I am not sure which is worse: Trump is apparently enjoying showing off a prurient moment in history, or Maher is referring to it on stage.

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Small Business Administration has repeatedly denied Club Cobra’s application for COVID-19 relief money, alleging that the establishment offered services of a “prurient sexual nature.”

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Apart from prurient interest, why should any of us really care?

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In his debut performance at the Philadelphia rally he made a thinly veiled reference to a prurient and debunked rumor involving his opponent, Vance, and certain living room furniture.

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Related Words

• erotic 
• salacious 
• sexual