Skip to main content
arousal

arousal

10 7.5
A feeling of sexual excitement before sexual activity
  • noun
  • /əˈraʊzəl/
  • NSFW
translation icon : excitación sexual
  • As they explored each other’s bodies, their mutual arousal intensified, increasing their desire for intimacy.
  • sexual arousal
  • arousal and erection
  • arousal or orgasm

And foreplay can help build that arousal gradually.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • In a state of sexual arousal, my mind will give me a beautiful woman and then I'm turned on.

  • Sexual arousal is liking sex, and sexual desire is wanting sex.

  • Did you know that fear and sexual arousal cause the same exact physical symptoms?

  • But in this fit of arousal and desire, I'm not thinking clearly.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • And foreplay can help build that arousal gradually though.

  • Well, in sexual arousal, lips become redder and larger.

  • But because she was pregnant, her hormones had started to race, arousal catching her unawares.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We examined various dimensions of sexual functioning, including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, pleasure, and satisfaction.

    Academic text (2002)
  • And it turns out that it impacts every single area of sex, regularity of sex, enjoyment of sex, arousal, desire, orgasm.

  • Jittery with nerves and arousal, he pricked his finger pinning on her corsage.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

foreplay
vsarousal
  • NSFW
51 7.0

Physical activity before sex that makes people feel more excited and close

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
stimulation
vsarousal
  • Offensive
9 7.0

Touching that makes a person feel sexually excited before sex

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
eroticism
vsarousal
  • NSFW
5 7.9

A quality that makes people feel sexual desire

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
fondling
vsarousal
  • NSFW
4 9.2

To touch someone gently in a loving way, often before sex

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
horniness
vsarousal
  • NSFW
3 8.3

A strong feeling of wanting to have sex

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
sexual arousal
vsarousal
  • NSFW
3 5.3

A strong physical and mental feeling of sexual excitement from touch or thoughts

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
titillation
vsarousal
  • NSFW
3 8.6

A pleasant excited feeling made by teasing or strong interest

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
randiness
vsarousal
  • NSFW
9.1

A strong feeling of wanting to have sex

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse
erotism
vsarousal
  • NSFW
9.7

A feeling of sexual desire and excitement

is mutual touching and excitement before intercourse

Compounds

3 5.3

A strong physical and mental feeling of sexual excitement from touch or thoughts

emotional arousal
  • Specialized
5.8

A strong feeling that makes your body react

How Aroused

sexual arousal
  • NSFW
3 5.3
arousal
  • NSFW
10 7.5
kissing
  • NSFW
100 1.0

Surface Forms

arousal singular
arousals plural

Morphology

arousal = arouse (semi-transparent) = arouse + al

The sexual sense is a domain-specific extension of 'arouse' (to excite); learners may not automatically infer the sexual meaning from the neutral verb without contextual knowledge.

Etymology

Arousal comes from the verb arouse, which means 'stir up' or 'wake' feelings and follows the same idea as raise. So sexual arousal is the 'stirring up' of desire or excitement before intimate activity.