VOOZH about

URL: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/sexpot.1510052/

⇱ sexpot | WordReference Forums

Menu
Install the app
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

sexpot

audiolaik

Senior Member
Polish
Hello,

I was trying to find -- to no avail, unfortunately -- a nice and, if possible, politically correct expression that would describe a sexually attractive woman. I bumped into "sexpot".

I looked it up, and this is what I found:

a woman who is sexually exciting or is very interested in sex. Some people, especially women, consider this offensive.
source

What's wrong with this word that women might regard it as something offensive?

Here is another source that refers to the word in question, but this time there is no mention of its offensiveness.

a sexually attractive person.A woman considered to have sex appeal.
Thank you!
You could try the adjective "hot", which has the advantage that it is applied to both men and women. As far as I know it describes only their sexual appeal without implying anything about their character or the choices they make in their lives.
You could try the adjective "hot", which has the advantage that it is applied to both men and women. As far as I know it describes only their sexual appeal without implying anything about their character or the choices they make in their lives.

Yes, I take your point, Cagey, but do you really think the word "sexpot" sounds offensive or rude?
Hi audiolaik

I'd be delighted if someone referred to me as a 'sexpot'! As it implies a certain awareness of one's own sexuality, I can't imagine why anyone would take offence at having the obvious pointed out. Not remotely offensive in my books!
Hi audiolaik

I'd be delighted if someone referred to me as a 'sexpot'! As it implies a certain awareness of one's own sexuality, I can't imagine why anyone would take offence at having the obvious pointed out. Not remotely offensive in my books!

Hi sexpot,👁 Big Grin :D


How does it feel?

Thank you, spatula, for your input! It seems that the world is not lost yet.👁 Smile :)
Yes, I take your point, Cagey, but do you really think the word "sexpot" sounds offensive or rude?
I am in no position to say how all other people take this, or how they should. However, to some people it may sound as though their identity is being collapsed into how other people respond to them. Also, it can seem to say that their sexual appeal is a central concern for them as well.

Obviously, it is different for other people. Much of this will depend on how they see the person who makes the comment.
Hi sexpot,👁 Big Grin :D


How does it feel?

Thank you, spatula, for your input! It seems that the world is not lost yet.👁 Smile :)

I suppose I was asking for that 👁 Wink ;)
. I should perhaps qualifiy it by saying that obviously, context is everything. If you're in a situation where it is ok to talk about a person in terms of their sexiness then, to me, 'sexpot' is fine. Actually, I find it mild and quite old-fashioned, but in a good way. You don't need me to tell you, however, that on many occasions there's no word that would make a person's sexiness an appropriate topic of conversation.
You don't need me to tell you, however, that on many occasions there's no word that would make a person's sexiness an appropriate topic of conversation.

I couldn't agree more....👁 Big Grin :D


PS Thank you, Cagey, for your explanations!
Audio, to me the word "sexpot" just sounds rather 1960s - and a bit silly👁 Eek! :eek:
.

If I was called a sexpot by someone, I'd cringe ... and keep as far away from the person as possible....
It is old-fashioned and totally silly. Very mild, and if anyone said it, it would undoubtedly be meant to be humorous. It's unlikely that it would be said seriously, and for that reason it's harmless. Script writers would have a lot of fun using it to give certain characters / presenters a particular tone. A tongue-in-cheek tone.

That said, it does have a meaning which, as I said earlier, is not one that offends me personally.
Blimey, audio, you do ask difficult questions!

Silly, in the sense of ridiculous.

I can't imagine anyone using the word "sexpot" in this day and age.

"Sexpot" today would just sound silly/ridiculous unless someone was spoofing the 1960s...
Blimey, audio, you do ask difficult questions!

Silly, in the sense of ridiculous.

I can't imagine anyone using the word "sexpot" in this day and age.

"Sexpot" today would just sound silly/ridiculous unless someone was spoofing the 1960s...

You're right Loob with the 60s overtones; it wouldn't be out of place coming from the mouth of Austin Powers, who obviously spawned a whole load of phrases. In my experience 'sexpot' has never really gone away, but it has become a more cheesy expression.
Blimey, audio, you do ask difficult questions!

Silly, in the sense of ridiculous.

I can't imagine anyone using the word "sexpot" in this day and age.

"Sexpot" today would just sound silly/ridiculous unless someone was spoofing the 1960s...

No further questions, Your Honour. 👁 Big Grin :D
Forget 'sexpot', 'crumpet' is what all the hip kids are saying these days.

Are you being serious? That is very funny, and a fine revival!
If I was called a sexpot by someone
Ahem.

I agree that it's very dated, and distinctly silly. I'd just laugh if I heard it. (Obviously no-one would ever refer to me as sexpot. Hint.)
Ahem.

I agree that it's very dated, and distinctly silly. I'd just laugh if I heard it. (Obviously no-one would ever refer to me as sexpot. Hint.)

If I'd known this word when I saw you, I'd definitely have called you this way.👁 Big Grin :D


Thank you all for your help!
Hello,

I was trying to find -- to no avail, unfortunately -- a nice and, if possible, politically correct expression that would describe a sexually attractive woman. I bumped into "sexpot".
[. . .]

To my mind:

"Sexpot" conveys intent, provocation, on the part of the woman.

A "fox" likely has some intention to be so, but not always.

A "cutie" on the other hand could be, is likely, an innocent.

For "politically correct," I'd go with "cutie."
Forget 'sexpot', 'crumpet' is what all the hip kids are saying these days.

Nice one pickarooney.👁 Smile :)

Haven't heard "crumpet" for decades.
I like to show that I am still a "hepcat" daddyo by refering to bombshells of the opposite sex as "birds" or "skirt".

Thankfully I am past all that but listening to the language of youngsters today I dread to think what the current terms are.
Personally, I think cutie is nauseating. Sexpot is a little old school, but it's not that strong. It has connotations regarding the woman's sex drive (in my opinion!)
But frankly, unless you're using these kinds of lines on random strangers, you'll be OK!
Sexpot is a little old school, but it's not that strong. It has connotations regarding the woman's sex drive (in my opinion!)
I agree that sexpot is old-fashioned in a Hugh Hefner-like way. I am (just barely 👁 Smile :)
) old enough to remember when the word was still occasionally used, and it definitely carried a connotation not only of being sexy but also of being highly sexed. In the US, at least, a woman who was a sexpot was "hot," yes, but also probably "easy" and possibly not very smart (or obsessed with sex at the expense of interest in higher things. I'm just reporting the facts, not defending them!) Perhaps things were different in the UK, but I don't think that "sexpot" was ever a compliment in AE.
From today's The London Paper (p.17):

"John Light, the actor, is married to 'Scream' sexpot Neve Campbell."

As I suggested before, maybe it a word reserved for we media types. (Yes, The London Paper, the self same rag that has announced it is to fold, presumably not just because of its use of outdated language 👁 Wink ;)
.)
Blimey, audio, you do ask difficult questions!

Silly, in the sense of ridiculous.

I can't imagine anyone using the word "sexpot" in this day and age.

"Sexpot" today would just sound silly/ridiculous unless someone was spoofing the 1960s...

"Sexpot" is quite contemporary for me and I'd expect to hear it in (very informal, read, possibly drunken) conversation. I notice it's mostly UK posters saying it's dated. Perhaps it's only contemporary in AE, and the Brits have moved on to new and better fashions, like always? 👁 Stick Out Tongue :P
Also, I don't think there's such a thing as a politically correct term indicating someone's sex appeal or sex drive, since it is politically incorrect to refer to these two things in general.

Edit: Things like "goddess" and "knockout" (two synonyms I saw reading dictionary entries) convey that someone is extremely attractive without necessarily referring to her sex life.
Last edited:
As a 27 year old American I am surprised to learn that it's a 60s term, I had no idea. I thought it was a trendy media term. For the most part I only hear the term used by members of the media typically referring to actresses and to a lesser extent musicians.

The term is common in celebrity TV shows, movie reviews, and things of that nature, but I don't know anyone who uses it in everyday speech. To me the term often implies a scandalous or easy nature so I personally wouldn't recommend telling someone she is a sexpot. It also isn't very common in typical AE conversations and might seem a little bizarre.

I would just say she is hot or sexy.
"John Light, the actor, is married to 'Scream' sexpot Neve Campbell."
That does indeed sound decidedly 'quaint' to me, Spats.
Back
Top Bottom