Interest: Meaning, Curiosity, Attraction, and Sexual Consent
Learn what interest means in general, romantic, sexual, and financial contexts, how it differs from desire and attraction, and why interest is not consent.
Learn what interest means in general, romantic, sexual, and financial contexts, how it differs from desire and attraction, and why interest is not consent.
Indulgence is the act of allowing or pursuing a desired pleasure, comfort, or luxury and may be harmless, restorative, excessive, or harmful depending on context.
Sexual tension is the feeling of unresolved, developing, or unspoken sexual attraction between people, often involving anticipation or uncertainty.
Stimulate means to encourage activity, interest, sensation, or response and may describe mental, physical, emotional, biological, or sexual activation.
Arouse means to awaken or stimulate a feeling, reaction, interest, or sexual response through thoughts, touch, words, emotions, or other stimuli.
Excite means to create enthusiasm, interest, emotional energy, anticipation, or sexual responsiveness through thoughts, experiences, or stimulation.
Passion means powerful emotion, desire, or enthusiasm and may describe intense romantic attraction, sexual excitement, devotion, or personal interest.
Tempt means to attract or encourage someone toward a desirable action. In sexuality, temptation must be distinguished from consent and responsibility.
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting a person, experience, or outcome and may involve romance, affection, sexual interest, longing, or ambition.