What does carnality mean?
Carnality is a noun describing the condition of being governed by bodily appetites, particularly sexual desire, often with an implied neglect of spiritual or intellectual concerns. Derived from the Latin caro, carnis ('flesh'), it entered English through ecclesiastical language, where theologians used it to name one side of a fundamental opposition between the flesh and the spirit. Because of this heritage, the word retains a formal, literary tone and frequently carries a note of moral judgment: a critic might deplore the carnality of certain fiction, while a religious writer might warn against carnality as an obstacle to holiness. Though its core sense involves sensuality broadly, modern usage leans heavily toward the sexual. Related forms include the adjective carnal and the adverb carnally, and it shares a root with incarnate and carnival. It remains useful wherever writers wish to discuss physical appetite with gravity or precision.
nounThe state or quality of being concerned with bodily, especially sexual, pleasures; indulgence in physical appetites, often to the exclusion of spiritual matters.
- Indulgence in or preoccupation with bodily and especially sexual pleasures.
- The fleshly or worldly nature of human beings as opposed to their spiritual nature, especially in religious contexts.
"The monk's writings warned against the carnality that he believed distracted the soul from God."
"The novel was criticized by some readers for its frank treatment of carnality, though others praised its honesty."
"In his sermons, the preacher contrasted the spirit's aspirations with the carnality of everyday desire."
Rarely pluralized; the plural appears only when referring to multiple specific instances of fleshly indulgence, typically in literary or historical prose.
"The memoir catalogues the youthful carnalities the author later repented."
Carnality comes from the Latin 'caro' meaning 'flesh' — the same root as 'incarnate', so every time you call something carnal, you're literally calling it fleshly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of carnality
Carnality derives from the Late Latin carnalis, meaning 'of the flesh', formed on caro, carnis ('flesh'). It passed into English via Old French and church Latin, appearing by late Middle English in religious contexts that opposed the claims of the body against those of the soul. Its cognates include incarnate ('made flesh'), carnal, and carnival — the last originally connected to the farewell to fleshly pleasures before Lent.
Related word forms
How carnality is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary in register. It carries a strong moral or religious connotation, often implying disapproval — it is most at home in theological, philosophical, or critical writing rather than casual speech.
Easily confused with carnality
Carnival is a festive season of public celebration before Lent (or any lively festival), whereas carnality denotes indulgence in bodily, especially sexual, pleasures.