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Definition of venereal

venereal

/vəˈnɪr.i.əl/
ve · ne · re · al
Adverb:venereally
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venereal Lexical Profile

venereal Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to, resulting from, or contracted through sexual intercourse, especially with reference to sexually transmitted infections.

Example

"Public health campaigns in the mid-twentieth century focused heavily on educating citizens about the prevention of venereal diseases."

2

Relating to or associated with sexual desire or sexual intercourse.

Example

"The seventeenth-century treatise warned readers against the physical and spiritual perils of excessive venereal indulgence."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for venereal
Antonyms
View all antonyms for venereal

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse "venereal" (relating to sexual intercourse or sexually transmitted infections, from Venus) with "venial" (describing a minor, pardonable offense or sin, from Latin venia meaning forgiveness). In modern medical usage, "sexually transmitted" has largely replaced "venereal" in clinical terminology.

• Rhymes for venereal

• Nearby Words

venerate
veneration
venerator
venereal
venetian
venezuela
venezuelan

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 15th century from Late Latin venereus ("relating to sexual love"), derived from Latin Venus (stem Vener-), the Roman goddess of love and beauty, with the English adjective suffix -al.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Venereal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/venereal
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