Definition

The quality of having an excessive interest in sexual matters or lewd behavior.

Example

The film was criticized for its prurience, as it focused too much on sexual content rather than the story.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed how some movies have a lot of prurience in them?

Yeah, it's really distracting sometimes, isn’t it?

Exactly! I prefer films that tell a good story without relying on that kind of stuff.

Same here, I think it takes away from the overall experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prurience is derived from "prurire" (meaning to itch) in Latin, combined with the suffix "-ence" (indicating a state or quality). The word describes a state of having an intense desire or itch, particularly in a sexual context.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for 'itching' — 'prurire' — to remember that prurience refers to a strong desire or 'itch' for something, especially in a sensual way.

Visually Confused Words