nympho

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nympho" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has excessive or uncontrollable sexual behaviour. Example sentence: "My ex-boyfriend was a total nympho; he wanted to have sex almost every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Do you want to meet me after your shift's over?" The same nympho gets the pilot's best line; still trying to push herself on the forbearing lifeguard, she says, "Haven't you heard?

The New Yorker

Love by the sewer plant, the nympho in Alley Pond Park, affirmative action, the radio career?

The New Yorker

"Everybody made J. R. diabolically evil, Lucy a nympho, and Bobby so, so good," Mr. Duffy said.

The New York Times - Arts

"And I'm a nympho".

The New York Times - Arts

Of course there is more to Linda - who was born Linda Boreman - than these twin roles of nympho and victim, and the fact that she was used and abused by both the porn industry and the anti-porn industry.

The Guardian

The novel's denouement proves the cynical middle-class characters right: once the schoolgirlish front comes off, Betty is exposed as a vicious little nympho, a bad 'un just like her mother.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

As episode yields to episode, Harry ends up caring not only for his niece and nephew, but also for a foster child, an elderly couple living nearby and a nympho-mistress-cum-sassy-bestie: a family of choice to replace the family of origin.

The New York Times - Books

Hey, I Googled milk nymphos for work!

Independent

As the sequences become more extreme — Johnny is attacked by man-hungry "nymphos" when he wanders into the wrong ward, a hallucinatory thunderstorm breaks out in the main hallway — "Shock Corridor" seems less and less about American society and more and more about Johnny's rising sexual hysteria.

The New York Times

Mr. Friedman's memoir of his years at Magazine Management is collected in "Even the Rhinos Were Nymphos" (University of Chicago Press, 2000).

The New York Times

The first blurb on the back cover of "Even the Rhinos Were Nymphos" is from Steve Martin.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience carefully before using the term "nympho", as it can be perceived as offensive or stigmatizing. Opt for more neutral or clinical alternatives when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "nympho" casually or humorously, as it often carries negative connotations of promiscuity and can be hurtful to the person being described. Instead, focus on describing the specific behaviors or characteristics you observe, without resorting to labels.

Linguistic Context

The word "nympho" functions primarily as a noun, often used to label or describe an individual, typically a woman, perceived to have an excessively high sex drive. However, it is crucial to acknowledge, like Ludwig AI suggests, its highly stigmatized nature and potential for misuse. The examples found in the provided sources (Ludwig) demonstrate this usage, often in fictional contexts or media portrayals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Film

10%

Books

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nympho" is a noun used to describe a person, usually a woman, perceived as having an excessively high sex drive. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is often considered offensive and stigmatizing. The term appears most frequently in News & Media, Film, and Book contexts. Due to its negative connotations, careful consideration should be given before using this term, opting for more neutral alternatives in formal or professional settings. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's best to consider the audience and context before deciding to use the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hypersexual person

Replaces the informal and potentially derogatory term with a clinical and neutral description.

oversexed person

A more colloquial term indicating someone with a seemingly excessive interest in sex.

sexually voracious individual

Emphasizes the intensity and insatiable nature of the sexual desire.

person with an insatiable sexual appetite

Focuses on the unrelenting and unappeasable nature of the sexual desire.

person with high libido

Offers a straightforward and non-judgmental description of someone with a strong sex drive.

sex addict

Implies a compulsive and potentially problematic relationship with sex.

person with compulsive sexual behavior

Highlights the compulsive aspect of the behavior, suggesting a lack of control.

woman with strong sexual desires

Specifically refers to a woman, avoiding the clinical connotation.

man with strong sexual desires

Specifically refers to a man, avoiding the clinical connotation.

sexually active individual

A more general term indicating frequent sexual activity without necessarily implying excessiveness.

FAQs

What does "nympho" mean?

The term "nympho" is a derogatory and outdated term for a woman with a high or seemingly uncontrollable sex drive. It's often considered offensive and stigmatizing.

Is it appropriate to use the word "nympho" in formal writing?

No, the word "nympho" is generally considered inappropriate for formal writing due to its derogatory and stigmatizing connotations. It's better to use more neutral and clinical terms like "hypersexual person" or "person with high libido".

What are some less offensive alternatives to "nympho"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "sexually active", "hypersexual", or "person with a high sex drive". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey and the level of formality required.

How has the perception of words like "nympho" changed over time?

Terms like "nympho" have become increasingly recognized as stigmatizing and pathologizing language that reflects societal biases and double standards around female sexuality. Modern perspectives tend to favor more respectful and accurate descriptions of sexual behavior and desire.