libido
noun
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The Latin word libido, meaning "desire, lust", was borrowed by Sigmund Freud as the name for a concept in his own theories. At first he defined libido to mean the instinctual energy associated with the sex drive. Later he broadened the word's meaning and began using it to mean the mental energy behind purposeful human activity of any kind; in other words, the libido (for which Freud also used the term eros, a Greek word meaning "sexual love") came to be regarded as the life instinct, which included sex along with all the other impulses we rely on to keep us alive. But those of us who aren't psychologists use the word simply as a synonym for "sex drive".
Examples of libido in a Sentence
Joe Kloc, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Andropause: Debunking ‘The Male Menopause’ Myth By Jess Thomson
Science Reporter
2
Contrary to popular belief, having higher levels of testosterone doesn't necessarily make men have a higher libido.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
Imagine all those ideas on identity, fate, talent, libido, and self-referential consciousness in the screwball comedy Being John Malkovich remade into a movie musical about British pop star Robbie Williams.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Mood swings Increased anxiety or depression Symptoms of low estrogen in people assigned male at birth may include low libido and excess abdominal fat.3
Low estrogen can also affect your general overall health.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Libido.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libido. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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