What does necrophilism mean?
Necrophilism is the noun denoting sexual attraction to, or sexual activity involving, a dead human body. The word comes from Greek elements associated with death and love and is used chiefly in clinical, forensic, legal, historical, and literary contexts. It is not a synonym for a general fascination with corpses, mourning, or beliefs about the afterlife; the relevant meaning specifically concerns sexual desire or conduct directed toward a dead body. In discussion of individual cases, the term is usually applied carefully and without sensationalism because of the legal and ethical implications. Because such behavior is both rare and disturbing, the word is encountered far less often in ordinary speech than related terms such as necrophilia, which may be used more broadly. Its principal value is as a precise clinical and historical label for a clearly defined concept.
nounNecrophilism is sexual attraction to, or sexual activity involving, a dead human body. The term is primarily clinical, legal, and literary rather than neutral or everyday.
- Sexual attraction to a dead human body or bodies.
- Sexual conduct involving a dead human body.
"The historical account examined the evidence of necrophilism within the context of ritual belief and death customs."
"The scholar discussed necrophilism in relation to mythology and funerary ritual."
"The text described necrophilism clinically and without sensationalism."
The plural is grammatically regular but is rarely needed in ordinary usage.
"The study compared accounts of necrophilisms recorded in different historical sources."
Necrophilism joins two ancient Greek roots: one for death and one for love.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of necrophilism
The word was formed in the 19th century from Greek nekrós, meaning "dead," and phílos, meaning "loving" or "fond of." Its components are also reflected in related English words such as necrophile, necrophily, and necropolis. The compound follows the model of Greek-derived English formations that combine a stem denoting death with a suffix or element denoting love or affinity.
Related word forms
How necrophilism is actually used
This is a rare, sensitive term used mainly in clinical, forensic, historical, legal, and academic discussion. It should be handled neutrally and sensitively, especially when referring to individual cases. Although closely related to the noun necrophilia, necrophilism often emphasizes the behavior or practice as well as the attraction.
Easily confused with necrophilism
Necrophilism denotes sexual attraction to or activity with dead bodies, whereas necrophobia denotes an intense fear of dead bodies.