# Lolita

/ɫoʊˈɫitə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lolita
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a sexually alluring young girl

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a young girl who is considered sexually attractive, especially to older men.

For teachers: a young girl who is perceived as sexually precocious or alluring to adult men; often used with a critical or cautionary tone regarding the male gaze.

- The media unfairly labeled the young actress as a lolita after her first film role.
- Critics argued that the film's cinematography leaned into the lolita trope, uncomfortably sexualizing a character who was clearly still a child.

Usage: Often used as a common noun, though derived from a proper name.

Teaching tip: This term is highly sensitive and can be offensive or suggestive; students should be aware of its origins in Nabokov's literature before using it.

## Examples

- The media often unfairly labels young actresses as a lolita.
- The fashion shoot was criticised for its lolita aesthetic, which many felt was inappropriate for a teenage model.
- Cultural critics argue that the lolita archetype in cinema often serves to shift the blame from the predatory adult onto the child by emphasizing her supposed precocity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.