Vocabulary Spotlight
Carnal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities.
“The novel explored the carnal desires and struggles of its main characters.”
Pronunciation
[kahr-nl]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Physical
Bodily
Fleshly
Earthly
Antonyms
Intellectual
Moral
Divine
Celestial
Related Words
Passionate
Sensuous
Word Origin
“Carnal” comes from the Latin “carnalis,” meaning “of the flesh,” from “caro,” meaning “flesh,” and it often refers to physical or sensual aspects distinct from the spiritual.
Word Family
Adjective: Carnal – Relating to physical or sensual desires.
Noun: Carnality – The state of being focused on bodily or sensual desires.
Related Noun: Incarnate – Embodied in flesh or taking physical form.
Mnemonics
Think “Carnal” as “Carnival of Needs” – referring to basic physical or sensual desires.
Industry-specific Usage
Literature
In literature, “carnal” often describes characters’ physical or sensual desires, contrasting with spiritual pursuits.
Psychology
In psychology, carnal impulses refer to instinctive desires, often part of human needs and motivations.
Religion
In religious contexts, “carnal” is used to describe desires that are worldly or fleshly, contrasting with spiritual virtues.
In Context
Carnal is often used to describe physical, especially sensual, aspects of human life, emphasizing desires that are distinct from spiritual pursuits. It commonly appears in discussions contrasting physical and spiritual nature.