Cunnilingus is the sexual act of stimulating a partner’s vulva or clitoris with the mouth, lips, and tongue. In medical and clinical language it is described as oral-genital stimulation. The term denotes a specific intimate technique and carries explicit connotations; usage is typically within adult, consensual contexts and may be discussed in sexual education, healthcare, or adult media discourse.
"She discussed cunnilingus in a candid, educational setting to promote safer sexual practices."
"During the workshop, he demonstrated cunnilingus techniques focusing on rhythm and sensation."
"The couple explored cunnilingus as part of their open and communicative relationship."
"Some partners appreciate clear consent and enthusiastic communication before performing cunnilingus."
Cunnilingus derives from a composite of Latin roots: cunnus (meaning “female genitalia”) and lingere (meaning “to lick”). The specific formation in English appears in the 20th century, reflecting a blend of Latin-derived medical vocabulary and popular erotic slang. The word likely entered Western sexual discourse via medical-adjacent texts and pornographic or educational materials, crystallizing in dictionaries and glossaries by mid-century. Historically, “lingus” morphology evokes explicit oral action, while “cunni-” marks female genitalia. The evolution of the term mirrors broader cultural shifts toward explicit, anatomically precise language in sex education and media, contributing to its acceptance in adult contexts and academic discussions of human sexuality.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cunnilingus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cunnilingus"
-gus sounds
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Pronounce as /ˈkənˌlɪŋ.ɡəs/ in US and UK. Start with a short, neutral “kuhn” (/kən/), then a light secondary stress on “ling” (/ˌlɪŋ/), and end with a crisp “guhs” (/ɡəs/). Place primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the third. Tip: keep the tongue relaxed for /ə/ in the first syllable and ensure the /ŋ/ is clearly voiced. Audio examples can be found on Pronounce and YouGlish for native recordings.
Common errors include suppressing the /ŋ/ sound or merging /ˈkən/ with /ˈkənlɪŋ/ causing a run-together feel. Another is misplacing stress, giving disproportionate emphasis to the second or second syllable, turning it into /ˈkʌn.lɪŋˌɡəs/. Correction: clearly separate /kən/ and /ˌlɪŋ.ɡəs/, keep /ŋ/ alveolar nasal midline, and maintain the /ˈ/ primary stress on the first syllable.
In US English, /ˈkənˌlɪŋ.ɡəs/ with a flatter vowel in /ə/. UK English often features a slightly more rounded /ɜ/ in /kən/ and a crisper /gəs/. Australian tends toward a broad fronted /æ/ in some speakers and a slightly softer /ə/ in /kən/. Nevertheless, the /ŋ/ and /ɡ/ consonants stay clear. Listen to native speakers on Forvo or YouGlish to perceive subtle rhotic and vowel quality differences.
Difficulties stem from the tri-syllabic rhythm and the cluster /lɪŋ.ɡ/ with a hard /g/ followed by a weak ending /əs/. The /ə/ in the first syllable can reduce emphasis, blending with /k/ and /n/. Additionally, moving between /ˌlɪŋ/ and /ɡəs/ requires precise timing to keep the syllables distinct without creating a run-on. Practice will stabilize these transitions.
A notable feature is the mild secondary stress on the third syllable, forming a deliberate rhythm: /ˈkənˌlɪŋ.ɡəs/. The combination of a light first syllable, a clear nasal /ŋ/, and a terminal /ɡəs/ requires mindful separation and precise timing between the alveolar nasal and the velar stop. Focusing on the /ŋ/ as a clean, unnasalized sound helps stability.
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