What is a Dildo and What Does it Look Like?

Last Updated on April 15, 2024

Dildos and sex toys are synonymous terms, but the truth is there's more to the erect penis replica then you may think. It is an entire sex toy category worthy of its own designation.

What is a dildo, you ask? Today, I'll divulge a little bit of background history and how they've evolved over the years since. We'll discuss the dildo definition and explain the true meaning of a dildo.

We'll find out what dildos are made of, the different types of dildos, what they look like, who invented the quirky phallus representative and finally provide a perfect example of where to buy one perfectly suited to your liking that you'll cherish for a long time. I bet you can imagine where that will be! Hint, hint! Haha!

All kidding aside, if you're brand new to the world of adult toys and sexual pleasure enhancers, then come along with me on a journey of intimate exploration. This is the essential first timers guide with everything you've ever wanted to know about the most popular and oldest sex toy in existence.

Elaborating further on my definition above, it should be clear that the actual dildo definition must include it is specifically a non-vibrating sex toy. A dildo that vibrates is called a vibrator. If your device vibrates, it is technically not considered a dildo, it is a vibrator.

Imagination plays a big role in your pleasure. Women who enjoy a good dildo orgasm alone will think about their favorite actor or a studly musician that makes the heart beat a little faster, if you know what I mean! Free your mind and unleash the fantasy, after all, it's your private naughty secret!

The standard dildo meaning of a sex toy without a motor leaves all the action solely up to your hands and your imagination. All movement is supplied by your own handling. You can be as fast & hard, or as gentle & slow as you want. This allows you to perfectly indulge your own realistic sexual fantasy.

Even though most dildos are sold primarily for vaginal use, men can also use them for prostate stimulation and all genders benefit from anal stimulation of a small or thin probe during foreplay. You'd be surprised how many guys buy small ones to stick in their butt.

So which should you buy? The battle of dildo vs vibrator is an ongoing debate here. Confused or curious by the mechanics contained within the device? If you now wonder how do vibrators work, check out this previous publication and watch the video to see the motor closeup in action.

What is a Dildo Used For?

Contrary to popular belief, dildos are not just for sex crazed single women. In the past decade on the job, I've sold more dildos to couples than to singletons. Lovers are really enjoying playing with them together. Note the word “playing” in there because that's EXACTLY what it is.

Dildos are for FUN! Sex shouldn't be stuffy and serious. It should be enjoyable and adventurous. There is no better way to truly spice it up and add a playful attitude then incorporating adult toys into your foreplay routine. Check out my tutorial on how to use a dildo with unique tips & techniques to try.

What is a dildo good for if not for spicing up your love life? They are a COUPLES sex toy. Not just a women's sex toy. Primarily because they make foreplay last longer; in reality, men ejaculate real fast, often too fast for the linking of their partner. The imitation erection stays, well, erect forever!

When you bring sexual aids into the action, it allows the pleasure to be extended. She can get her cookies too, over and over again while he recharges for another session. BAM – amazing sex life and erotic marathons aplenty! What is a double dildo good for? That extra length and head is the perfect handle for your lover to be interactive with you.

Lesbian partners enjoy them too because it's the essential appendage missing in their sex life. There are so many dildos for lesbians that don't look like a real cock, most notably the rainbow dildo. Lesbian toys are often super classy with fancy silicone shafts that curve & wave, stripes of rainbow colors for pride, discreet and subtle perfect for adding erotic enjoyment without looking like a blatant dick. For something extra playful, strap on a strapless! (What is a strapless dildo?)

What Does a Dildo Look Like?

What is a dildo that doesn't look like a penis with balls? Typically the shaft will have a curve for female G Spot or male prostate stimulation. The eternal erection may also have a suction cup so you can prop it on the bath tub or shower floor and ride bouncing on top (kinky fun at its finest).

Some are stunningly classy, almost like works of art with beautiful sensual shapes and elegant colors. Others are rather eccentric, like the penis shaped realistic self thrusting dildo shaft, a real oddity (yet strikingly popular in bedroom across the USA. I should know... I put half of them there...)

With that being said, it is true that most dildos look like a man's erection. The first dildos ever “invented” were from well before the industrial revolution. Dildos from 30,000 years ago were crudely carved to look like a mushroom. Of course there is “scientific” debate if these were actually used for sexual pleasure, they could be mortars for a pestle. We don't actually know.

When rubber become a common material for household objects, dildos took on a lifelike appearance. Only then could we truly have a replica of a man's erection complete with dimples, wrinkles, testicles and all the other minute details of a bulging erection and balls.

Fast forward to the 1970's and silicone made them feel even more realistic. Sure rubber can look real, but by bringing a silicone mix into the picture, they became a heck of a lot softer, now most 7 inch dildos and 8 inch dildos have realistic feeling skin. Of all these ultra realistic types, the famous Cyberskin is heralded as the most popular imitation dick of all time.

What is a Dildo Made Of?

Dildos are made of a vast range of materials. Some are designed to look realistic while others are supposed to feel realistic. Soft, hard, curved, flexible, you think of it and I promise you it's been made by some sex toy manufacturer at some point in history. Today, the most common materials are:

• Silicone
• Rubber
• Glass Dildos
• Metal
• Silicone & Rubber blends
• TPE - Thermoplastic Elastomer
• TPR - Thermoplastic Rubber
• PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride

Care & cleaning is extremely important. Know how to clean a dildo to make sure you keep it sanitary and in tip top shape. The more delicate materials like TPR and some rubber compounds require good cleaning with gentle cleansers to prevent the surface from drying out yet eliminating bacteria after use.

A few decades ago, we would often see jelly based dildos for sale. Now that our scientific world has made the general public aware of toxins in sex toys (or baby toys, or dog toys, or kitchen utensils, or anything, really), manufacturers were quick to change their products to use body safe materials that do not contain Phthalates.

It was a long an arduous journey, but now I'm happy to report that pretty much any sex toy you could purchase these days from a reputable sex shop is free of toxins. Hypoallergenic and non-porous silicone is quickly becoming the dominant material. Originally, it was very expensive to make but now it's so commonplace that we're seeing new silicone toys creeping up and overtaking rubber.

What Does a Dildo Feel Like?

The dildo is intended to feel like sex. Knowing all the different materials and textures they're made of, the exact sensation can vary significantly. Soft dildos are oozing and gentle. Hard dildos are vicious and intense. Certain brands like King Cock dildos have a range of textures available for sale because some people like it hard, others like it soft.

What is a dildo if not to replicate sex? The whole purpose is to ease your mind into a sexual fantasy. Whatever your fantasy may be, there is a dildo to fill it. (Pun intended there. Haha!) The thrusting motion of intercourse is the goal, but some people prefer a light poke or even a jiggle to ignite a sexual response.

The secret to making your dildo feel good is to use LOTS of sex lube. Lubricant makes it feel slick & slippery while reducing friction between your skin and the surface of the toy. It also prevents pulled pubic hairs which can cause discomfort. Sexpert tip: Warming lube adds more realism to your experience and flavored lube adds an exotic sweet scent to your bedroom. ~ Mayla Green

What is the Best Place to Buy a Dildo?

Of course you should buy a dildo from TheAdultToyShop.com the world's very best online dildo store! OK now that my shameless plug is over, the truth is there is a plethora of sex shops both online and in person where to buy a dildo.

Being the most popular sexual aid in the world, they're everywhere. Taking a note from my previous discussion about what dildos are made of, you'll be quick to notice that these materials will have a big factor on how it feels.

Will you like it? You really don't know until you see it in person. This is why we're the best place to buy a dildo online. We provide more pictures from more angles than anyone else. We also have a hand holding each one to better convey size.

Lastly, there is a video description for every single item for sale. The video demo is invaluable information because you can get an idea of the density, texture and softness of the product in question. If you have additional questions, there is a form to fill out on each product page. You'll get an emailed reply within one business day.

Walking into your local sex toy store is a good option too, but storefronts are limited in size and don't carry the same volume of adult toys for sale compared to the online shop. We have a whole warehouse dedicated to stocking sex toys. A brick and mortar store has limited space therefore limited products to sell.