Definition and Pronunciation
Lustful (pronounced: /ˈlʌstfəl/) is an adjective that describes someone filled with or showing strong sexual desire. It can also mean excessively focused on physical pleasure or desire, often with a negative or sinful connotation in traditional or religious contexts.
Easy Explanation
“Lustful” means having strong sexual feelings or wanting sex. It’s often used in literature, religion, or formal speech to describe someone overcome with passion or desire.
Grammatical Formation
- Adjective: lustful
- Noun: lust (the desire itself)
- Adverb: lustfully
- Noun (quality): lustfulness
Word Comparisons
- Lustful vs. desirous: desirous is formal and can apply to anything; lustful specifically refers to sexual craving.
- Lustful vs. horny: horny is casual slang; lustful is formal or literary.
- Lustful vs. loving: lustful is physical and sexual; loving is emotional and affectionate.
Connotations
- Negative (traditional/religious): sinful, immoral, uncontrolled.
- Neutral (modern/poetic): passionate, filled with desire.
- Figurative: intense craving for something, not just sexual.
Meaning with Prepositions
- Lustful for: He cast a lustful glance for her body.
- Lustful toward: She accused him of being lustful toward her.
- Lustful in: lustful in his intentions.
Real-Life Examples
- He gave her a lustful look across the room.
- The novel portrayed the king as greedy and lustful.
- She was uncomfortable with his lustful advances.
- Lustful thoughts were seen as sinful in many traditions.
Synonyms
lecherous, lascivious, lewd, libidinous, carnal, passionate, desirous, wanton
Antonyms
chaste, pure, modest, virtuous, celibate, innocent, restrained
Related Terms
- Lust – intense sexual desire.
- Carnal – relating to bodily/sexual desires.
- Libido – sexual drive.
- Lewd – crude or offensive sexual behavior.
Common Collocations
- lustful glance
- lustful eyes
- lustful thoughts
- lustful desire
- lustful advances
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
- Lustful gaze: a sexually charged look.
- Lustful appetite: strong sexual craving, or metaphorically, greed for power/wealth.
- Lustful imagination: erotic or sexually charged thinking.
Sample Sentences
- His lustful eyes followed her across the room.
- The priest warned against lustful behavior.
- The character was portrayed as lustful and corrupt.
- She rejected his lustful advances firmly.
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, completely. “Lustful” directly refers to strong sexual desire or behavior. While it can also be used metaphorically (e.g., lustful for power), its primary and strongest association is with sexuality, often carrying moral or cultural judgment.
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