pornography

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pornography' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to explicit, typically sexual material that is intended to arouse. For example, "The censorship laws in that country prohibit the production and distribution of pornography."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

French Revolutionary pamphlets portraying Marie Antoinette's supposed bedroom antics were propagandist pornography.

The Guardian - Arts

I am fed up with complacency and cronyism, and I'm fed up with the floppy-haired Eton club Richard Desmond The newspaper publisher is the owner of the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and OK! magazine, as well as Television X and the Red Hot adult channels, although he strongly rejects descriptions of himself as a pornography baron.

The Guardian

Yesterday, for instance, it was reported that 10% of 12- to 13-year-olds are worried that they might be addicted to pornography – and also that one in five 14- to 17-year-olds have tried or bought e-cigarettes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The film may be said to have been successful in its objective as, a year after its release, Denmark legalised pornography.

The Guardian - Film

Some were even receiving psychiatric treatment because their hatred of pornography was thought to be so odd.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Durden's career highlight is his stint as a projectionist, inserting frames of pornography lasting just one-twenty-fourth of a second into family movies.

The Guardian - Film

In a trail for tonight's interview with Jeremy Paxman, Mr Blair is clearly seen squirming when the Newsnight presenter bluntly asks him if it is okay to accept money from a pornography publisher.

The Guardian

He also raised concerns about a number of his fellow seamen, including one whose hobbies he claimed were killing small animals and watching extreme pornography.

The Guardian

Of course no one was planning to murder the Sun and its hapless models, but some campaigners wanted it banned or confined to pornography shelves and starved of advertising.

The Guardian - Opinion

Forrest also recommends the card prevent spending on things like alcohol and gambling and also any "activities discouraged by government" such as "pornography".

The Guardian - Business

The second two, in the 80s, told a much darker story of her being raped, beaten, prostituted and forced into pornography at gunpoint by Traynor.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of your audience and the context when using the term, as it can be considered offensive or inappropriate in some situations.

Common error

Don't use "pornography" and "erotica" interchangeably. "Pornography" generally refers to sexually explicit material intended to cause arousal. "Erotica" often suggests a more artistic or literary approach, focusing on sensuality and romance rather than explicit acts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pornography" is that of a noun. It refers to the explicit depiction of sexual subject matter or the graphic depiction of something. Ludwig AI confirms this function based on numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pornography" functions primarily as a noun, denoting sexually explicit material intended to cause arousal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its usage requires sensitivity to audience and context. Related terms include "erotica", "adult entertainment", and "sexually explicit content", each carrying slightly different connotations. When writing about "pornography", it's important to distinguish it from "erotica" and to use the term precisely, avoiding judgmental language. The word is very common in the specified sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pornographic material

A straightforward synonym for "pornography".

sexually explicit content

A neutral and descriptive term.

erotica

A more artistic or literary approach to sexually explicit material.

adult entertainment

A broader term encompassing various forms of sexual content.

adult films

Specifically refers to pornographic movies.

smut

A more vulgar or crude term for pornography.

X-rated content

Refers to content that has been rated X, typically indicating adult material.

obscene material

Focuses on the legality and social unacceptability of the content.

blue movies

An older, somewhat outdated term for pornographic films.

indecent exposure

A legal term referring to the act of exposing oneself in public, implying some overlap.

FAQs

How is "pornography" typically used in a sentence?

The word "pornography" is used to describe sexually explicit material. For example, "The debate centered on the regulation of online "pornography"".

What are some less direct alternatives to "pornography"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "adult entertainment", "sexually explicit content", or "erotica".

What's the difference between "pornography" and "obscenity"?

"Pornography" refers to sexually explicit material, while "obscenity" is a legal term describing content that violates community standards and lacks artistic or scientific value. Obscenity laws often regulate "pornography".

Is all sexually explicit material considered "pornography"?

No, not all sexually explicit material is considered "pornography". The term often carries connotations of commercial production and distribution. Some sexually explicit content might be considered art or "erotica", depending on its intent and context.