Word
libido
Phoneticsli·bido
US/ɫəˈbidoʊ/
UK/lɪbˈiːdəʊ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the natural desire for sex. It is a psychological term used to describe how much interest a person has in sexual activity.
n. the psychic energy or drive associated with sexual instinct. In modern psychological and medical contexts, it refers specifically to sexual desire or drive.
Examples
“Stress and lack of sleep can lower your libido.”
“The doctor explained that the patient's low libido was likely a side effect of the new medication.”
Examples
simple
“Stress and lack of sleep can lower your libido.”
contextual
“The doctor explained that the patient's low libido was likely a side effect of the new medication.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general concept of sexual drive; countable when comparing different levels or types of drive.
Real-World Examples
“Drugs that help control the libidos of people who have committed sexual offences could be rolled out for thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales from December 2028, an expert has said.” “Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters It’s true that testosterone meaningfully changes the appearance and libido of the people who take it.” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin libīdō (“lust, desire”). Used originally in psychoanalytic contexts.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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