Sexy Words: 27 Seductive Words, Dos & Don’ts to Make Dirty Talk Sound Erotic
Sexy words aren’t just spicy, they’re memorable too. Learn the most intoxicating words that stick, and how to use them with flair.
Sexy words, those little linguistic sparks like ‘seductive,’ ‘racy,’ and ‘bewitching,’ do more than sound hot, they stick in your brain. Studies show we remember emotionally charged or sexual words better than neutral ones, which is exactly why using them strategically in your flirting, writing, or videos works like a charm.
Have you ever heard a certain word and suddenly began to feel all warm and tingly down south, but you weren’t sure why? People often cite the brain as the most powerful sexual organ. So it’s no surprise that sexy words in the naughty alphabet can turn you or your partner on, even a word as simple as “lick.”
If you’ve ever had a lover use dirty talk during sex, you know exactly how powerful of a stimulant it can be. Not only does using sexy words build up sexual tension between you and your partner, it always keeps them thinking about you all day long.
Believe it or not, sexy words and dirty talk are actually very different things. Instead of talking about what hot and filthy phrases to say to your partner, we’re showing you specific keywords to say to turn your partner on, as well as words you should NEVER say! [Read: How to dirty talk and turn your lover on like no one else can]
Looking for sexting or dirty talk?
If you’re looking for sexy words to use in bed, or a guide to start sexting right, start with these guides!
- How to Start Sexting: 59 Hot Examples & 51 Sexy Ways to Sext Someone
- How to Dirty Talk: 36 Sexy Tips & 55 Examples to Turn Anyone On with Words
Best Sexy Words to Turn Someone On: How to Use Them Like a Pro
It’s time to learn how to stimulate love and lust in your lover’s brain to make things feel steamy. Here are the top sexy words that are sure to turn your lover on.
1. Their name
Guys love it when a girl says their name during sex. It lets him know you’re thinking about him and not fantasizing about your ex. Men like to know that it’s their hunka-hunka-burnin’-love that can satisfy you… and no one else’s. [Read: How to turn on a guy – 15 moves to arouse him while making out]
2. Tight
Every girl wants to feel like she’s the tightest her guy has ever been with. It denotes a virginal, desirable quality that speaks to us on a primal level.
While you certainly don’t have to have a nearly impenetrable vagina for a guy to think you’re hot stuff, there’s something about your guy telling you how tight you are down there that’s a total turn-on. [Read: How to talk dirty to a girl without turning her off]
3. Love, but not the cutesy type
Whether you’re hearing your partner say they love you in an intimate moment, or they’re simply revealing that they love your breasts, the way you moan, or that signature move you do – it all becomes hot.
This is because when said in a sexual situation, love denotes the ultimate passion. You don’t get more intense than saying you love something!
4. Wet
Where you can see his erect penis, telling your guy how wet he’s making you is like sharing a naughty little secret. This is something that can’t be seen that establishes how turned on you are. [Read: How to get wet and really aroused whenever you feel like it]
5. Deep
Who doesn’t love the term “deep” when it comes to dirty talk? Deep is a non-offensive term that can be used in plenty of dirty phrases. For example:
“I want you deep inside me.”
“Take it deep in your throat.”
This term makes your man feel like he has a huge dick that’s pleasing every inch you have to give, and it also makes a girl feel like she’s being completely filled with pleasure. What more can we say… it’s just hot.
Deep” hits that fantasy of intensity, emotional and physical. Want to get creative? Try: “Go deeper,” or, “I want to feel you deep in me.
6. Cock
This is one of those words that women surprisingly seem to enjoy more than men… and actually prefer it over dick, penis, and prick. Regardless, this one is usually a crowd pleaser.
Ignoring the chicken-like attribution, cock borders on a taboo synonym that seems bad, naughty, and powerful. [Read: 50 sexy and dirty things to say to your boyfriend]
7. Need
Men and women universally want to feel wanted, especially in the sack. We want to know that we’re the only one who could ever possibly pleasure you this much or make you come this hard.
“Need” is a word that creates a powerful word picture. Phrases like “I need your body,” “I need you inside me,” or “I need to put my hands on you” convey powerful, lusty desperation that’s almost too hot to handle without using any explicit words!
This word is gold when whispered. Try something like, “I need you right now,” or, “I need to taste you.” It suggests hunger, urgency, and passion without being crude.
8. Cum/come
An orgasm, or “cuming/coming,” denotes the height of passion when you’re between the sheets, so there’s no surprise that this is an equally beloved term for both sexes.
While you don’t know what the other person’s orgasm feels like, when they utter the phrase “I’m going to come” you know they’re about to head into pleasurable bliss. At the same time, hearing the phrase “I want to make you cum/come” is tantalizing because it implies someone wants to make you feel good.
This sexy word is one of the single most exciting terms on the list because it conveys something arousing and mysterious all in one go. [Read: How to sound sexy in bed to drive your partner wild]
9. Pussy
Surprisingly, many women polled enjoyed the word “pussy” when it comes to naming their nether regions.
Most found that “vagina” was too clinical to sound hot in the heat of the moment. And “c*nt” sounded too abrasive when said aloud. But “pussy”, with its kitty-cat connotations, was a safe and sexy word that women loved.
10. Bad
When you held up the car keys to your dad’s refinished Mustang as a teen and confessed “I did something bad!”, it was probably one of the most terrifying moments of your life. Alternatively, when your wife leans in close and whispers “I’ve been a bad girl,” it’s probably one of the most exciting.
The word “bad” is all about context. Maybe it’s taboo or maybe it’s the adrenaline that kicks in, but for many people, the feeling of doing something bad makes them feel extra naughty. [Read: Sexy things to say in bed – 30 lines to drive them wild]
Fun fact: this word is also popular with BDSM searches, and all about playing with taboo. Say, “I’ve been bad, are you going to punish me?” or, “You make me feel so bad in the best way.” It taps into role-play fantasies and gives instant friction.
11. Hard
Even the most basic words, when referring to sexual excitement, can get us into a horny spell. Take the word “hard” for example. “It’s hard,” “I can feel you getting hard,” and “put that hard dick inside me” are all hot phrases.
As long as the context is sexual, this quickly becomes one of those sexy words people can’t get enough of. [Read: How to make a guy hard – 16 moves he won’t be able to resist]
12. Whisper
There’s just something irresistibly hot about a whisper in the middle of the action. When someone leans in close and murmurs something naughty into your ear, it’s like an electric jolt straight to your core. Whispering automatically feels more intimate, more secret, more “just between us.”
Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to get a little closer and amp up the suspense before anything even starts. [Read: Sex Sounds: How to Moan and Look & Sound Sexy AF While Making Out]
13. Obey
This one taps straight into every dominant-submissive fantasy out there. Saying the word “obey” during sex screams control, power, and the sexy tension of giving in, or making someone else give in.
Whether it’s a whispered “obey me” or a playful “be a good girl,” it sets the stage for some seriously steamy roleplay. [Read: BDSM: What It Is, 54 Sexy Tips, Tricks & BSDM Ideas to Try It for the First Time]
14. Ache
“Ache” is one of those words that doesn’t sound sexual on its own, but in the right context, it’s downright filthy. Saying you ache for someone makes your desire sound all-consuming, almost painful. And hearing that someone aches for you? Cue the ego boost and sex appeal.
Use it when you want your partner to know you’re not just horny, you’re craving them.
15. Throb
Okay, yes, this one might sound like something out of a steamy romance novel, but that’s exactly why it works. It’s raw, physical, and totally loaded with erotic tension. Whether you’re talking about your body throbbing with need or feeling them throb inside you, it paints a mental picture that’s hard to forget.
Even better? It sounds dirty without being too graphic.
16. Naughty
The word “naughty” has big playground energy… just not the kind you’d use around actual kids. Telling someone they’re naughty, or saying you’ve been naughty, instantly flips the switch into sexy, playful territory.
It gives you permission to let go of inhibitions, and it sets the tone for a little good ol’ fashioned mischief.
17. Tease
Being a tease is often seen as a bad thing, until you’re in bed. Then, it’s the name of the game. Using the word “tease” while dirty talking lets your partner know exactly what you’re doing: building that tension, stretching out the desire, and making them beg a little before giving in.
And let’s be honest… who doesn’t love a good tease? [Read: 30 Sexy Ways to Tease Your Man & Make Him Want to F You Right There]
18. Drip
This one’s short, sweet, and ridiculously sexy. When someone says they’re dripping for you, it’s not just arousing, it’s primal. It tells your partner just how turned on you are, no filter, no fluff.
Definitely not a word to throw around lightly, but when you do say it… trust us, it lands.
19. Slide
There’s just something smooth and deliciously sensual about the word “slide.” It implies movement, closeness, and that kind of friction that makes toes curl. Saying something like “I want to slide on top of you” or “slide it inside me” creates mental visuals that are sexy without being vulgar.
Basically, it’s a great go-to when you want to sound seductive, not surgical.
20. Crave
“Crave” hits harder than just saying you want someone. It’s obsessive, animalistic, and downright intense. When you say “I crave you,” it doesn’t sound like a fling, it sounds like you’re one second away from climbing them like a tree.
Use it when you’re feeling that can’t-get-enough-of-you kind of horny. [Read: How to Tease Your Girlfriend Sexually & Make Her Think of You All Day]
21. Beg
Not for the faint of heart, “beg” is definitely on the spicier side. Whether you’re saying “beg for it” or telling your partner you’re begging for them, this word amps up the power dynamics real quick.
It works best when there’s a little dominance/submission play going on… or when someone’s just being really stubborn.
22. Ride
Short, punchy, and dirty as hell. “Ride” skips the metaphors and gets straight to the point. Whether it’s “I want to ride you” or “let me ride your face,” it’s hot, dominant, and leaves zero confusion about what you want.
Safe to say, this one isn’t for bedtime lullabies. [Read: Girl on Top Sex: How to Ride a Man & 33 Secrets to Look Sexy Doing It]
23. Taste
“Taste” is the sexy word that feels refined and filthy all at once. Saying you want to taste someone implies you’re turned on, curious, and ready to get really up close and personal.
Bonus: it works great for both romantic whispers and straight-up dirty talk. Total win. [Read: What Does Cum Taste Like? The True Taste of Semen from Women & Science]
the not-so-sexy words you should never say – ever
Now that you are educated on the sexy words and phrases you can use to turn your partner on, you must understand that with great power comes great responsibility.
Before you dive into sexy words that turn your partner on, you need to know this: words have power, but the wrong ones? They can kill the mood instantly. According to research, words that evoke disgust or awkward imagery (like “moist” or “slit”) activate areas of the brain associated with aversion, especially when tied to sexual context
📚 Source: Stephen J. Flusberg et al., 2024, How Everyday Language Shapes the Way We Think, Feel, and Act
For example… telling your wife that you want to make her panties moist may seem like a sexy gesture, but the truth is, women commonly hate both of those words. [Read: 23 sexy tips to dirty talk and saying the sexiest words]
Here are some of the top hated words according to females.
1. Moist
Interestingly, a study by Thibodeau found that the word “moist” triggered discomfort especially when preceded by sexual or bodily context, as opposed to neutral ones. That’s how specific phrasing messes with our brain’s emotional processing.
📚 Source: Thibodeau et al., 2016, Aversive Reactions to “Moist”
Interestingly, well-educated females were most likely to dislike the term. So the next time you’re looking for another word for “wet” in your sexy word arsenal, keep on moving.
2. Slit/cooter/beaver/c*nt
Vaginas aren’t cutesy, they aren’t Canadian wildlife, and they don’t deserve a super aggressive nickname. For the most part, these synonyms for vagina are the ones women could do without. Also, add to the list “hole” and “twat.”
3. Squirt
Surveys worldwide also show that women hate the term “squirt”, largely due to its pornographic connotation. In fact, one study found that 68% of the female participants said that the term squirt made them squirm.
4. Panties
In the same study cited above, 54% of female participants hated the term “panties.” Why? There are many theories, two being that it sounds like it’s trying too hard to be sexual and that it sounds too infantilizing. [Read: How dirty panty fetishes are paying women’s utility bills]
Want to sext these words?
If you’d like to use these sexy words while sexting your partner, try these guides to get the message, and leave them horny AF!
- 23 Hot Ways to Sext a Guy & 48 Naughty Examples to Make Him Hot & Hard
- 25 Sexy Text Messages to Initiate a Dirty Conversation with Anyone
- 72 Dirty, Sexy Texts + Secrets to Make a Girl Wet & Horny in a Subtle Way
- Emoji Sexting: 30 Fun Emojis to Make Any Text Seem Extra Flirty & Naughty!
Why Our Brain Remembers Sexy Words More Than Regular Ones
Sexy words don’t just sound hot, they’re sticky, literally.
Psychologists have found that sexually charged or emotionally arousing words are remembered more easily than neutral ones. This happens because such words trigger the amygdala and hippocampus, areas linked to emotional learning and memory. That’s why something as simple as “wet” or “tight” can leave a lasting impact in your lover’s mind.
📚 Source: Geer & Bellard, 1996, Emotional processing and memory for erotic words
📚 Source: Kensinger & Corkin, 2003, Memory advantages for arousing vs. neutral words
The do’s & don’ts of using sexy words
It’s not just about knowing which sexy words to use when you’re talking dirty to your partner, it’s about knowing how to do it too. You can do dirty talk well, or you can do it very badly indeed. Perhaps that’s why so many people are a little apprehensive about trying it for the first time!
To help you out, so you can get started using the words we’ve talked about, let’s check out a few do’s and don’ts of dirty talking. [Read: 20 beginner dirty talk examples to get them in the mood for fun]
1. Do take a deep breath. Confidence is key!
2. Don’t mutter under your breath, make sure you’re clear!
3. Do use words that you’re comfortable with.
4. Don’t use words that you know your partner hates or finds offensive. [Read: Dirty talking in bed with your partner]
5. Do try role-play if you find dirty talking as yourself a little cringe-worthy.
6. Don’t forget to ask questions. If you’re struggling, get them to do their bit and answer a sexy question!
7. Do enjoy it! This is supposed to be something fun for both of you.
8. Do describe things you want to do or would like to be done, it’s the easiest form of dirty talk!
With these tips and the sexy words we’ve talked about, you’ll be a dirty talk pro in no time!
[Read: The 26 naughtiest things in a foreign language]
Words have the power to turn someone on long before you even touch them. The right sexy word, used at the right time, can spark anticipation, fantasy, and deep connection. So whether you’re whispering sweet nothings or unleashing your inner seductress, let your words work their magic.
