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sensual

sensual

19 6.9
Causing sexual desire or pleasure
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɛnʃuəl/
  • NSFW
translation icon : erótico
  • Would their marriage be, as he hoped, a union of kindred souls as well as sensual satisfaction?
  • sensual pleasure
  • sensual, even erotic
  • sensual and sexual

And she was, you know, just insinuating that she'd been sensual all weekend.

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Examples

  • They were considered much too sensual and full of passion.

  • They shared a sensual kiss under the moonlight, feeling deeply connected in that moment.

  • Your feet are sources of sensual pleasure.

  • When we first started going out, it had been very sensual and sexual.

  • I see it as sensual and sexy and beautiful.

    GQ
  • You mean a sensual massage?

  • The women we like are sensual, crazy, shot full of hormones.

  • And you're a very sensual man.

  • Whoever his woman was, she would have to be a very sensual creature, Letty decided.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Her demeanor is seductive and sensual in contrast to the harsh, mechanical surroundings.

    Fiction book (1994)

Synonyms

sexual
vssensual
  • NSFW
3.5

Relating to physical attraction, desire, or intimate acts between people

is narrower, focusing on arousal and physical pleasure rather than broad relation
sexy
vssensual
  • NSFW
681 4.1

Attractive in a way that makes people feel sexual interest

is about causing physical pleasure or desire rather than general attractiveness
romantic
vssensual
  • NSFW
636 3.9

Showing love and strong feeling between two people

is focused on physical pleasure rather than emotional love or affection
erotic
vssensual
  • NSFW
113 6.5

Causing sexual desire or showing sexual interest

is more about physical pleasure and gratification than direct arousal
carnal
vssensual
  • NSFW
48 8.2

Relating to sexual or physical desire rather than spiritual feelings

is specific to arousal and pleasure rather than general bodily desire
sultry
vssensual
  • NSFW
14 7.3

A voice or look that is attractive in a sexual way

is focused on producing physical pleasure rather than only suggesting attraction
libidinous
vssensual
  • NSFW
3 9.9

Having very strong sexual desire

is less about excess and more about causing pleasure and arousal
fleshly
vssensual
  • NSFW
1 8.8

Relating to bodily desires, especially sexual ones

is specifically about arousal and pleasure rather than general bodily appetite
libidinal
vssensual
  • NSFW
1 9.9

About sexual desire and strong sexual feelings

is about causing pleasure or desire rather than underlying drives or energy
lubricious
vssensual
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Meant to cause sexual desire by words or actions

is more neutral and focuses on pleasure without lewd judgement

Antonyms

frigid
  • Offensive
7 7.4

Showing little or no interest in sexual activity

How Sexual

pornographic
  • Offensive
49 7.2
erotic
  • NSFW
113 6.5
sensual
  • NSFW
19 6.9
sexy
  • NSFW
681 4.1
suggestive
  • Offensive
9 6.0

Surface Forms

sensual positive
sensualer comparative
sensualest superlative

Morphology

sensual = sense (opaque) = sens + ual

Morphologically clear as 'sense' + '-ual', but the narrower sexual/erotic sense is a specialized semantic extension.

Etymology

The word sensual comes from the Latin root sensus, 'feeling', like sense and sensation. Because it is about strong physical feelings, it is often used to mean 'sexually exciting'—it arouses desire by appealing to the body's senses.