sexual
adjective
of, relating to, or for sex.
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sexual
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-sexual
-sexuala combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.
sexual
1 American
[sek-shoo-uhl, seks-yoo-]
/ ˈsɛk ʃu əl, ˈsɛks ju- /
adjective
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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.
-sexual
2
American
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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.
sexual
British
/ ˈsɛksjʊəl /
adjective
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of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
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(of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametes Compare asexual
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sexual
First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin sexuālis, from sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al 1
Compare meaning
How does sexual compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Anything that's related to reproduction can be described as sexual. It's also used to describe an intimate kind of attraction that occurs between people. Sexual reproduction happens in animals (including people) when a female's egg and a male's sperm fuse together and go through a process of cell division which results in a baby — or a litter of baby animals. People also use this adjective for things that are connected to or suggest sex, in both the "intimate contact" sense, and also the physical differences that define men and women.
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.
See Examples For:
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland said they were "very disappointed to hear of the comments made by Vittorio Angelone which contribute to a culture in which rape and sexual violence can be trivialised".
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
The federal case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Any university orientation should include clear guidelines on consent and how to report sexual violence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
He announced other measures including the appointment of a dedicated staff member to support individuals reporting sexual misconduct, and inviting specialized New York State Police detectives to probe future sexual assault allegations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
By that sentence, Tolstoy meant that, in order to be happy, a marriage must succeed in many different respects: sexual attraction, agreement about money, child discipline, religion, in-laws, and other vital issues.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
PLUMAGE, inherited peculiarities of, in pigeons. -sexual peculiarities of, in fowls.
From The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication — Volume 2 by Charles Darwin
GOAT. -polydactylism in the. -sexual differences in horns of. -valued by South Africans.
From The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication — Volume 2 by Charles Darwin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
