Voyeuristic: meaning, definitions and examples

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voyeuristic

 

[ vɔɪˈjʊə.rɪ.stɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

sexual behavior

Voyeuristic refers to the practice of gaining sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity. Often considered a form of paraphilia, voyeuristic behavior can encompass a wide range of activities and may involve legal and ethical considerations, particularly when it involves observing individuals without their consent.

Synonyms

peeping, snooping, spying.

Examples of usage

  • He admitted to having voyeuristic fantasies.
  • The film explores voyeuristic tendencies in modern society.
  • Her voyeuristic nature led her to spy on her neighbors.

Translations

Translations of the word "voyeuristic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 voyerista

🇮🇳 वॉयरिस्टिक

🇩🇪 voyeuristisch

🇮🇩 voyeuristik

🇺🇦 вояристичний

🇵🇱 wzrokowy

🇯🇵 ボイアリスティック

🇫🇷 voyeuristique

🇪🇸 voyeurístico

🇹🇷 voyeuristik

🇰🇷 보이아리즘의

🇸🇦 مراقب

🇨🇿 voyeuristický

🇸🇰 voyeuristický

🇨🇳 窥视的

🇸🇮 voyeristični

🇮🇸 voyerískur

🇰🇿 вояристік

🇬🇪 ვოიერული

🇦🇿 voyeristik

🇲🇽 voyeurístico

Etymology

The term 'voyeuristic' comes from the French word 'voyeur', meaning 'one who sees', which itself derives from the verb 'voir', meaning 'to see'. The word entered the English language in the late 19th century, initially referring primarily to those who gained pleasure from observing others without their knowledge. Over time, its use has broadened to encompass a variety of contexts, particularly in relation to sexual behavior and psychology. 'Voyeurism' as a psychological concept was first studied in the mid-20th century, as part of the classification of paraphilic disorders. The fascination with voyeuristic practices has been depicted in numerous forms of media, reflecting society's ongoing intrigue with privacy, consent, and the human urge to observe. As cultural attitudes towards sexuality evolved, the term has been used in both clinical settings and popular discussions about morality, ethics, and personal boundaries.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,095 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.