FETISH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fetish mean? 

• FETISH (noun)
  The noun FETISH has 3 senses:

1. a form of sexual desire in which gratification depends to an abnormal degree on some object or item of clothing or part of the body

2. a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers

3. excessive or irrational devotion to some activity

  Familiarity information: FETISH used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FETISH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A form of sexual desire in which gratification depends to an abnormal degree on some object or item of clothing or part of the body

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Context example:

common male fetishes are breasts, legs, hair, shoes, and underwear

Hypernyms ("fetish" is a kind of...):

concupiscence; eros; physical attraction; sexual desire (a desire for sexual intimacy)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

fetich; fetish; hoodoo; juju; voodoo

Hypernyms ("fetish" is a kind of...):

charm; good luck charm (something believed to bring good luck)

Derivation:

fetishist (one who engages in fetishism (especially of a sexual nature))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Excessive or irrational devotion to some activity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

fetich; fetish

Context example:

made a fetish of cleanliness

Hypernyms ("fetish" is a kind of...):

devotion (commitment to some purpose)

Derivation:

fetishist (one who engages in fetishism (especially of a sexual nature))

fetishize (make a fetish of)

 Context examples 

The man was a primitive savage from the backwoods of San Pedro, and this was his fetish.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)