What does autoeroticism mean?
Autoeroticism refers to sexual arousal or gratification that a person achieves alone, most commonly through self-stimulation, without involving a partner. The word combines the Greek root autos, meaning "self," with "erotic," and it emerged in late nineteenth-century scientific writing on sexuality, when researchers sought neutral clinical language for practices long discussed only in moral or religious terms. Today it functions chiefly as a technical term in psychology, medicine, and sexology, where it describes both ordinary solitary sexual activity and, in psychoanalytic theory, libido directed toward oneself — Freud, for instance, used it in his account of infantile development. Because of its clinical register, autoeroticism sounds formal and detached compared with everyday vocabulary for the same behavior. The related adjective autoerotic appears in established phrases such as "autoerotic asphyxiation," a dangerous practice studied in forensic science. Understanding the word is useful mainly for reading academic literature on human sexuality with precision.
nounSexual arousal or gratification obtained without a partner, especially through self-stimulation; more broadly, sexual feeling directed toward oneself rather than another person.
- Sexual stimulation or gratification achieved by oneself, without a partner.
- In psychoanalytic theory, libido directed toward oneself rather than toward an external object.
"The psychologist discussed autoeroticism as a normal part of human sexuality."
"Early studies of human sexuality treated autoeroticism as one of the most widespread forms of sexual expression."
"Freud used the concept of autoeroticism to describe infantile sexuality, in which pleasure is derived from the body itself."
Rarely pluralized; the noun is normally used as an uncountable mass noun referring to the practice or phenomenon in general.
"The study compared reported patterns of autoeroticism across age groups."
The term was coined by sexologists in the late 19th century — combining Greek 'autos' (self) with 'erotic' — and helped move masturbation from moral condemnation into scientific discussion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autoeroticism
Autoeroticism was formed in the late nineteenth century from Greek autos, meaning "self," combined with "erotic," which itself derives ultimately from Eros, the Greek god of love, via French érotique and Latin eroticus. The coinage belongs to the era of early modern sexology, when clinicians such as those writing in German medical literature sought neutral terminology for solitary sexual activity. Its cognates include other words built on autos, such as automatic and autonomy, and on the Eros root, such as erotica and eroticism.
Related word forms
How autoeroticism is actually used
Autoeroticism is a formal, clinical term used chiefly in psychology, medicine, and academic writing about sexuality; in everyday speech, words like masturbation are more common. It carries a neutral, technical connotation rather than a vulgar one, though its subject matter can still be considered sensitive. The adjective form is autoerotic, and the term appears frequently in phrases such as 'autoerotic asphyxiation' in forensic contexts.
Easily confused with autoeroticism
Narcissism is excessive self-love or self-admiration in a psychological sense, whereas autoeroticism refers specifically to sexual gratification directed at oneself.