VocabDictionary

exhibitionist

/ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃənɪst/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A person who behaves in an extravagant or conspicuous way in order to attract attention to themselves.

Example Sentences:
  • He is such an exhibitionist that he cannot walk into a room without making a scene.
  • The lead singer was a natural exhibitionist who thrived on the energy of the massive crowd.
2.noun

A person who derives sexual gratification from exposing their genitals to others in public.

Example Sentences:
  • The park security was alerted after reports of an exhibitionist near the playground.
  • Psychological counseling is often recommended for individuals struggling with exhibitionist tendencies.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “exhibitionist”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'exhibitio' (a showing forth), from the verb 'exhibere' (to hold out or present), composed of 'ex-' (out) and 'habere' (to hold). The suffix '-ist' was added in the 19th century to denote a person who habitually engages in the act of exhibiting, originally in a psychological or medical context regarding the display of one's body.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone who wants to be an 'exhibit' in a museum, constantly wanting to be looked at by everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About “exhibitionist

1. What is the meaning of “exhibitionist” in English?

In English, exhibitionist (noun) is defined as: “A person who behaves in an extravagant or conspicuous way in order to attract attention to themselves.”.

2. How do you use “exhibitionist” in a sentence?

He is such an exhibitionist that he cannot walk into a room without making a scene.

3. What are English synonyms of “exhibitionist”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “exhibitionist”?

Derived from the Latin 'exhibitio' (a showing forth), from the verb 'exhibere' (to hold out or present), composed of 'ex-' (out) and 'habere' (to hold). The suffix '-ist' was added in the 19th century to denote a person who habitually engages in the act of exhibiting, originally in a psychological or medical context regarding the display of one's body.