What does anaphrodisiac mean?
An anaphrodisiac is any substance that reduces or suppresses sexual desire, standing in direct opposition to the more familiar word 'aphrodisiac'. Where an aphrodisiac excites the libido, an anaphrodisiac dulls it, and throughout history such agents have been deliberately sought out by groups valuing chastity or self-discipline. Medieval monastic communities, for instance, reputedly favoured certain foods and herbs believed to dampen carnal appetite, with items like lettuce and water-lily frequently cited in older texts. In modern usage the word appears mostly in medical, pharmacological, and historical contexts — many prescription drugs, for example, list reduced libido among their side effects and could be described as anaphrodisiac. Though relatively rare in everyday conversation, the word is useful precisely because it names a concept we recognise instantly but seldom have a term for. Its meaning derives from Greek roots: 'Aphrodite', the goddess of love, combined with 'ana-', here indicating reversal.
nounAn anaphrodisiac is a substance that reduces or suppresses sexual desire, in contrast to an aphrodisiac which stimulates it.
- A substance (food, drug, or other agent) that diminishes sexual desire or arousal.
"The herbalist recommended camomile as a gentle anaphrodisiac for the overwrought patient."
"In medieval monasteries, water-lily seeds were prized as an anaphrodisiac for those pursuing chastity."
"Some medications have the unfortunate side effect of acting as an anaphrodisiac."
Standard plural formation; used when discussing multiple such substances.
"Several traditional anaphrodisiacs are listed in early modern medical texts."
For centuries, monks and soldiers were reportedly given anaphrodisiac foods to dampen desire — and one of the most cited is the humble lettuce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anaphrodisiac
The word derives from Greek: 'Aphrodite', goddess of love and beauty, whose name gave rise to 'aphrodisia' (sexual pleasure) and hence 'aphrodisiac'. The privative/reversing prefix 'ana-' was added in post-classical Latin to form 'anaphrodisia', denoting absence of sexual desire, from which the English noun was formed. It entered English usage in the 18th–19th century, primarily in medical literature, alongside its antonym which had been borrowed earlier.
How anaphrodisiac is actually used
The word is rare and somewhat formal or technical, appearing mostly in medical, historical, and pharmacological writing. It is chiefly used as a noun; adjectival use ('anaphrodisiac properties') also occurs but is less common. The term carries a neutral connotation.
Easily confused with anaphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac increases sexual desire, while an anaphrodisiac decreases it — the prefix 'ana-' reverses the effect.