succubus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, mythological, figurative
Quick answer
What does “succubus” mean?
A female demon believed to seduce men in their sleep.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female demon believed to seduce men in their sleep.
A dangerously seductive woman; a metaphorical source of spiritual or psychological drain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Usage is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Figurative use ('psychological succubus') may be slightly more common in AmE literary criticism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely encountered in fantasy literature, theology, or psychology texts.
Grammar
How to Use “succubus” in a Sentence
The succubus [verb] the man.He was haunted/visited by a succubus.She was described as a succubus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “succubus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The demon was said to succubus its victims.
American English
- He felt succubused by the toxic relationship.
adjective
British English
- He had a succubus-like encounter.
American English
- Her succubus nature was revealed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Figurative: 'The new project became a financial succubus, draining all our resources.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, mythology, folklore, and psychoanalytic theory (Jungian archetypes).
Everyday
Rare. Figurative insult: 'She's an emotional succubus.'
Technical
In demonology and occult studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “succubus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “succubus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “succubus”
- Confusing spelling: succabus, succobus. Confusing with 'incubus' (male). Using as a general term for 'ghost'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The male equivalent is an 'incubus', a demon believed to lie upon and seduce sleeping women.
Yes, figuratively to describe a person (usually female) who seduces and emotionally or financially drains another.
No, it is a rare, specialised word mostly confined to fantasy, mythology, and figurative literary criticism.
It comes from Late Latin 'succuba' meaning 'paramour', from 'succubare' ('to lie under').
A female demon believed to seduce men in their sleep.
Succubus is usually literary, mythological, figurative in register.
Succubus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌk.jʊ.bəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌk.jə.bəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(like) a succubus on one's soul”
- “to be succubus to (someone)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUCCubUS SUCks life from US.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS A PARASITE / SEDUCTION IS A SUPERNATURAL ATTACK.
Practice
Quiz
In modern figurative use, a 'succubus' most often represents: