erotica

[ ih-rot-i-kuh ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. written works, usually fiction, dealing with sexual love.
2. sexually explicit art, photographs, sculptures, or the like, depicting human sexuality.

erotica

/ ɪˈrɒtɪkə /

plural noun

1. explicitly sexual literature or art

Word History and Origins

Origin of erotica¹

1850–55; < Greek, neuter plural of erōtikós erotic

Word History and Origins

Origin of erotica¹

C19: from Greek erōtika, neuter plural of erōtikos erotic

Example Sentences

But even with the one they flub — Koenig initially misidentifies Madonna’s fifth album as “Like a Prayer” before correcting himself to “Erotica” — they make a pretty solid case for their mistake.

From Los Angeles Times

Readers were suddenly exposed to political tracts, memoirs, make-believe and erotica.

From Los Angeles Times

As the first international tour of Thomas’ work, this showcase features more than 80 works from the last two decades and examines topics including beauty, politics, memory, erotica and sexuality, with a focus on the people who have been marginalized and excluded in art history.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a neon sign that screamed “EROTICA.”

From Seattle Times

The plan: immigrate to America and become a right-wing influencer who also posts thinly disguised gay erotica, provoking Twitter’s credulous liberal power users into dunking on him, thus raising his profile and earning him the attention and favor of Donald Trump.

From Slate

Related Words

• smut