Meanings
- Greekhuman sciencesThe Greek god of uncontrollable desire, often depicted as a winged child attendant to Aphrodite.
While both love gods Eros and Himeros are regularly associated with Aphrodite, and they often appear together or separately in overtly erotic contexts, it is a bit tricky to differentiate between these two figures with precision.
2010, Monica S. Cyrino, Aphrodite, page 452 more examples
1999, Janet Lloyd (translator), Claude Calame, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), The Poetics of Eros in Ancient Greece, [1992, I Greci e l'eros], Princeton University Press, pages 31-32, A late-fifth-century hydria represents Himeros as a young boy who is present at the judgment of Paris: while Eros concentrates on winning over the young shepherd, Himeros and Pothos flank Aphrodite, indicating that this is the goddess upon whom his choice will fall. And a famous black-figure plaque dating from as early as dating from as early as the mid-sixth century shows Aphrodite holding in her arms two wingless children named, respectively, Himeros and Pothos.
The Greeks observed that Himeros often mingled with other goddesses, namely the Graces and the Hours and with Persuasion (Peitho) and Eros, all in the company of Aphrodite. How strange it is that in our times, Himeros often is found in the company of boredom, weariness and emptiness, since to experience desire and yearning is regarded as being deprived! Even though fulfillment is yet to come, Himeros is neither bored nor deprived.
2010, Betty Mallett Smith, The Greek Dialogues, Xlibris, page 460
Origin
- Ancient GreekἽμερος
- EnglishHimeros
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἵμερος (Hímeros), ἵμερος (hímeros, “yearning, desire”).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French Himéros
- HimérosGreek god attendant to Aphrodite
Italian Imero
- ImeroGreek god attendant to Aphrodite
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
Himeros. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Himeros
“Himeros.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Himeros. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Himeros,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Himeros.
Source: Himeros on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.