fetishist

From fetish +‎ -ist.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɛtɪʃɪst/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

fetishist (plural fetishists)

1. One who has a sexual fetish.

   Synonyms: kinkster, paraphiliac

   Antonym: normophile

   • 2025 April 27, Lisa Miller, Maggie Shannon, “When a Child’s Life Becomes the Family Business”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     A social media convention among young and famous people is not to show bare feet to avoid attention from foot fetishists.

2. (archaic) A believer in magical fetishes or talismans.
   • 1845, Brownson's Review, page 472:

     As well might we charge the people of Massachusetts with being Fetichists, as the Professor charge us with worshipping images.

   • 1882, Sir John Lubbock, The Origin of Civilization and the Primitve Condition of Man: Mental and Social Condition of Savages, page 4:

     These races were Fetichists before they became Buddhist, Mahometan, or Christian.

   • 1866, John Stuart Mill, The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte, page 170:

     The Fetishist thinks not merely that his Fetish is alive, but that it can help him in war, can cure him of diseases, can grant him prosperity, or afflict him with all the contrary evils.

• fittishes, shiftiest