sexual
Etymology

From Latin sexuālis, from sexus, equivalent to ; see sex.

Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ˈsɛkʃuəl/
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈsɛkʃuəl/, /ˈsɛksjuəl/
Adjective

sexual

  1. Arising from the fact of being male or female; pertaining to sex or gender, or to the social relations between the sexes. [from 17th c.]
    Women face sexual discrimination in the workplace.
  2. (biology) Capable of sexual reproduction; sexed, sexuate. [from 19th c.]
  3. Pertaining to sexual intercourse or other intimate physical contact. [from 18th c.]
    Giving oral sex is my favorite sexual act.
  4. Characterised by sexual feelings or behaviour; possessing sexuality. [from 19th c.]
    She's a very sexual woman.
  5. Pertaining to sexuality as a cultural phenomenon; relating to sexual behaviour or conduct. [from 19th c.]
    a sexual innuendo
    one's sexual preferences
  6. (LGBT, of a, person, rare) Experiencing sexual attraction; not asexual.
    Synonyms: allosexual
  7. (obsolete) Pertaining to the female sex. [17th–19th c.]
    Synonyms: feminine
    • 1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, “Observations on the State of Degradation to which Woman is Reduced by Various Causes”, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1792, →OCLC ↗, page 112 ↗:
      [T]he inquiry is whether she have reason or not. If she have, which, for a moment, I will take for granted, she was not created merely to be the solace of man, and the sexual should not destroy the human character.
Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Noun

sexual (plural sexuals)

  1. (biology) A species which reproduces by sexual rather than asexual reproduction, or a member of such a species.
    Antonyms: asexual
  2. (LGBT) A person who experiences sexual attraction, a person who has interest in or desire for sex (especially as contrasted with an asexual).
    Synonyms: allosexual
    Antonyms: asexual



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