anilingus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “anilingus” mean?
Oral stimulation of the anus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Oral stimulation of the anus.
A sexual practice involving oral contact with the anal area.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; term is identical in both variants.
Connotations
Highly taboo in both cultures; medical/clinical register reduces vulgarity slightly compared to slang terms.
Frequency
Extremely low in general discourse; appears mainly in medical, sexological, or erotic literature.
Grammar
How to Use “anilingus” in a Sentence
Subject + engage in + anilingusSubject + perform + anilingus + on + objectVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anilingus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The couple were anilingusing.
- He anilingused his partner.
American English
- They were anilingusing.
- She anilingused him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never appropriate.
Academic
Limited to medical, psychological, or anthropological studies of human sexuality.
Everyday
Extremely rare and inappropriate in general conversation; highly taboo.
Technical
Used in medical/clinical sexology, therapy, and forensic contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anilingus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anilingus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anilingus”
- Misspelling as 'analingus' or 'anilangus'.
- Confusing with 'cunnilingus'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, anilingus refers specifically to oral stimulation of the anus, whereas anal sex typically refers to penile–anal intercourse.
It is a formal, clinical term and is therefore less vulgar than slang equivalents, but due to its explicit sexual meaning, it remains highly taboo in general discourse.
Transmission of faecal–oral pathogens, hepatitis A, E. coli, shigella, and various parasites and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Rarely, but technically yes (e.g., 'to anilingus someone'). The forms 'anilingusing' and 'anilingused' are grammatically possible but highly uncommon.
Oral stimulation of the anus.
Anilingus is usually formal/technical in register.
Anilingus: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪnɪˈlɪŋɡəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænɪˈlɪŋɡəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tossing the salad”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANILINGUS: ANAL + LINGUA (Latin for 'tongue') = tongue on anus.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEX IS A MEDICAL PROCEDURE (when using clinical terms like anilingus).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'anilingus' most appropriately be used?