affectional orientation

[ uh-fek-shuh-nl awr-ee-uhn-tey-shuhn, ‐en‐ ]

/ əˈfɛk ʃə nl ˌɔr i ənˈteɪ ʃən, ‐ɛn‐ /

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noun

one's natural preference for a romantic partner of one gender or the other, or the absence of gender preference in a romantic relationship; one’s aromantic, biromantic, heteroromantic, homoromantic, or panromantic identity.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also called ro·man·tic o·ri·en·ta·tion .

Compare sexual orientation.

Origin of affectional orientation

First recorded in 1965–70

Words nearby affectional orientation

affectation, affected, affecting, affection, affectional, affectional orientation, affectionate, affectionately, affective, affective disorder, affective fallacy