pansexual

American  

[pan-sek-shoo-uhl] / pænˈsɛk ʃu əl /

adjective

1. Also

   1. noting or relating to a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of any gender or to people regardless of their gender.

   2. expressing sexuality in all its forms, or involving sexual activity with people of any gender or with people regardless of their gender.

2. Psychiatry. pertaining to the theory that all human behavior is based on sexuality.

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noun

1. a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of any gender or to people regardless of their gender; omnisexual.

Usage

What does pansexual mean? Pansexual refers to someone who is romantically, emotionally, or sexually attracted to people of any gender or regardless of their gender.Some pansexual people may say that, when it comes to attraction, they don't see gender or they find it irrelevant. That's what distinguishes pansexuality from omnisexuality or bisexuality.

Commonly Confused

What's the difference between pansexual, bisexual, and omnisexual? See bisexual ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

• pansexuality noun

Etymology

Origin of pansexual

First recorded in 1925–30; pan- + sexual

Example Sentences

Starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles, the show has been praised for its queer representation, with pansexual character Jack, played by Barrowman, shown in a relationship with Ianto on primetime national television.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Glenn, who identifies as bisexual and pansexual, encouraged people in the queer community to “stay strong during these hard times,” refusing to avoid political conversations because “politics affect us all.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Glenn, who identifies as pansexual and bisexual, took issue with those who questioned the legitimacy of athletes voicing their opinions.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

And their aggressive normalcy accompanies the life-changing subplot of Brady’s coming out as pansexual in 2023.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 2024

I guess there’s pansexual, but that feels too broad at this point.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone