paraphilia

[ par-uh-fil-ee-uh ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. a type of mental disorder characterized by a preference for or obsession with unusual sexual practices, as pedophilia, sadomasochism, or exhibitionism.

paraphilia

/ ˌpærəˈfɪlɪə /

noun

1. any abnormal sexual behaviour; sexual anomaly or deviation

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphilia¹

1920–25; para- ¹ + -philia, on the model of paranoia

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphilia¹

C20: from para- ¹+ -philia , from Greek philos loving

Example Sentences

The criminologist believes he showed signs of "predatory behaviours of a sexual offender" and a more accurate term would be paraphilia - a condition characterised by perverted or irregular sexual desires.

From BBC

Many of those committed are diagnosed with a general paraphilia, a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depends on behavior considered atypical or extreme.

From The Guardian

She said people who commit this sort of aberrant sexual behavior, which she described as a form of paraphilia, were likely to reoffend.

From Reuters

Now there’s an example of paraphilia I can get on board with.

From The Guardian

The media—especially the The New York Times—praised the recently dead, debauched, "dirty old man," for leading the "sexual progressivism" revolution by his hedonism and sexual paraphilia.

From New York Times