venereal

[ vuh-neer-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. arising from, connected with, or transmitted through sexual intercourse, as an infection.
2. pertaining to conditions so arising.
3. infected with or suffering from a sexually transmitted disease:

   a venereal patient.

4. adapted to the cure of such disease:

   a venereal remedy.

5. of or relating to sexual desire or intercourse.
6. serving or tending to excite sexual desire; aphrodisiac.

venereal

/ vɪˈnɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or infected with venereal disease
2. (of a disease) transmitted by sexual intercourse
3. of, relating to, or involving the genitals
4. of or relating to sexual intercourse or erotic desire; aphrodisiac

Other Words From

• nonve·nere·al adjective
• postve·nere·al adjective
• unve·nere·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venereal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin venere ( us ) of sexual love ( vener-, stem of venus sexual charm ( Venus ) + -eus adj. suffix) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of venereal¹

C15: from Latin venereus concerning sexual love, from venus sexual love, from Venus ¹

Example Sentences

So venereal disease became a widespread and debilitating problem for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

From Los Angeles Times

She and her team are confident that advances in the analysis of prehistoric DNA could also lead to the discovery of the origin of venereal syphilis.

From Science Daily

But he and his sailors eventually overstayed their welcome, depleting supplies and spreading venereal diseases.

From Los Angeles Times

“I gave you my heart,” Becky G charges as the song begins, but she has definitely taken it back, changing her phone number and comparing the ex to a rat and a venereal disease.

From New York Times

Ibsen gave us, for instance, the now-classic tale of a 19th-century housewife, suffocating under the alienating control of a domineering husband, and another about a Norwegian household thrown into turmoil by venereal disease.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• amorous
• bawdy
• carnal
• lewd
• obscene
• romantic
• seductive
• sensual
• sexual
• steamy
• suggestive