lovemaking
lovemaking Lexical Profile
lovemaking Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The act of engaging in sexual activity and physical intimacy, especially when viewed as an expression of romantic affection.
"The novel portrays the couple's lovemaking with a focus on emotional connection rather than explicit detail."
The act of courting, wooing, or expressing romantic affection to someone (archaic or literary).
"In the Victorian play, the suitor's earnest lovemaking consisted of recited poetry and polite compliments in the parlor."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary English, 'lovemaking' refers specifically to sexual intimacy, whereas in earlier literature (prior to the mid-20th century) it commonly meant verbal courtship or wooing.
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 16th century as a compound of 'love' and 'making', originally referring to the act of courting or wooing before shifting in the 20th century to denote sexual intimacy.