sexual
1 Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or for sex.
Publicly discussing sexual matters was frowned upon in those days.
The store is known for selling sexual aids.
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occurring between or involving the sexes.
In humans, melatonin concentrations are related to sexual maturation, with significant decreases occurring at the onset of puberty.
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having sexual organs or reproducing by processes involving both sexes.
The patterns of genetic variation in sexual species tend to be very different from those in asexual species.
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a combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.
pansexual;
polysexual.
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a combining form extracted from metrosexual, used to describe a person's lifestyle, appearance, or way of dressing with regard to attracting or choosing a romantic partner: lumbersexual.
vegansexual;
lumbersexual.
adjective
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of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
-
(of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametes Compare asexual
Other Word Forms
- antisexual adjective
- antisexually adverb
- nonsexual adjective
- nonsexually adverb
- sexually adverb
- unsexual adjective
- unsexually adverb
Etymology
Origin of sexual
First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin sexuālis, from sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al 1
Compare meaning
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They will cover such issues as whether children should be introduced to topics of sexual orientation in schools, and whether gender reassignment should be promoted or depicted to children.
From Seattle Times
Some also see the Convention as promoting homosexuality through its principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
From Reuters
Bush nominates federal appeals court judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, beginning an ultimately successful confirmation process marked by allegations of sexual harassment.
From Fox News
People would rather say they didn’t get the job because of the color of their skin, their gender or their sexual orientation than hear that they have a glaring flaw in their abilities.
From Fox News
After his release from prison Wednesday, Bill Cosby took to social media to thank his supporters as well as Pennsylvania’s highest court, which had overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction earlier in the day.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
