sexuality

[ sek-shoo-al-i-teeor, especially British, seks-yoo- ]

noun

1. sexual character; possession of the structural and functional traits of sex.
2. recognition of or emphasis upon sexual matters.
3. involvement in sexual activity.
4. an organism's preparedness for engaging in sexual activity.

Other Words From

• anti·sexu·ali·ty noun adjective
• super·sexu·ali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sexuality¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; sexual + -ity

Example Sentences

Ashley Brown, an assistant professor of Entertainment Arts and Engineering at the University of Utah, studies sexuality and games.

From Popular-Science

I think my generation is really curious about technology, about the different ways we can make money, about what a career means, what an identity means, what sexuality means.

From Everything After Z

Every individual has the right to embrace their sexuality, gender, and orientation.

From No Straight News

This group frequently suggested that since equality has already been achieved in America, sexuality and gender identity should not be given special protection.

From No Straight News

And, if your teen is facing serious hardship due to their identity, special counselors exist to assist those who struggle due to their unaccepted genders and sexualities.

From No Straight News

Margot Canaday here at Princeton writes on sexuality and American politics.

From The Daily Beast

A 64-year-old animal trainer, he makes the six-hour round-trip every two weeks to submit to her and explore his sexuality.

From The Daily Beast

Female sexuality has long confounded researchers and eluded popular understanding.

From The Daily Beast

What if healthy sexuality was the framework that young adults used to process every sexual message that they encounter?

From The Daily Beast

He had married, and had an affair, while he was writing Lady Macbeth, and the opera was alive with sexuality.

From The Daily Beast

Very frequently even in childhood sexuality gives rise to enduring imaginative sexual activity.

From Project Gutenberg

In certain families, the early awakening of sexuality is observed with remarkable frequency.

From Project Gutenberg

But equally erroneous is the opposite view, that the early awakening of sexuality is an indication of exceptional endowments.

From Project Gutenberg

We must, for these reasons, guard against the misconception that the early awakening of sexuality is per se pathological.

From Project Gutenberg

Before we go on to speak of the sexuality of the Cryptogams however, a few words may be devoted to that of the flowering plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• desire
• lust
• passion
• sensuality