Scotophilia
/ˌskoʊtəˈfɪliə/noun
A sexual interest in or arousal associated with darkness or being in dark surroundings.
Did you know?The word combines Greek skotos, “darkness,” with philia, “love” or “fondness,” the same root found in philosophy and philanthropy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skot-
“Darkness or shadow; the reconstructed ancestor associated with Greek skotos”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκότος (skotos)
“Darkness, gloom, or obscurity”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φιλία (philia)
“Affection, friendship, or fondness”
19th Century
Scientific Greek compounds
-philia
“A combining form meaning fondness, attraction, or love of something”
20th Century
English
scotophilia
“A term formed from Greek skotos, “darkness,” and -philia, “fondness” or “attraction””
Modern English
English
scotophilia
“A sexual interest in or arousal associated with darkness”
Explore more surprising origins