adjective
prurient
PROOR-ee-unt/ˈprʊriənt/
Having or encouraging excessive interest in sexual matters.
He pores over sexual-scandal clippings with prurient interest instead of working.
Etymology
The underlying image is an itch: bodily irritation became an “itching desire” for something. The adjective then narrowed to sexual desire or an excessive interest in sexual matters.
In context
He inserted cigarette cards in the packs with pictures of actresses which he admitted were just there for prurient interest
More examples
- The reporter's prurient questions about her sex life made her uncomfortable.
- The documentary examines the affair without dwelling on prurient details.
- The website's increasingly prurient headlines promise intimate revelations about celebrities.
Forms
prurient · more prurient · most prurient
prurience noun — excessive interest in sexual matters