asexual

American  

[ey-sek-shoo-uhl] / eɪˈsɛk ʃu əl /

adjective

1. Zoology, Botany.

   1. having no organs of reproduction.

      In nature, there are numerous examples of asexual plant and animal species.

   2. independent of sexual processes, especially not involving the union of male and female germ cells.

      Asexual reproduction is common among echinoderms such as starfish, basket stars, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers.

2. experiencing little or no sexual attraction to other people.

   a woman who identifies as asexual.

3. not involving sex or sexual feelings; nonsexual: an asexual hug.

   an asexual friendship;

   an asexual hug.

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noun

1. a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to other people.

asexual British  

/ æ-, eɪˈsɛksjʊəl, ˌæ-, eɪˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having no apparent sex or sex organs

2. (of reproduction) not involving the fusion of male and female gametes, as in vegetative reproduction, fission, or budding

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Usage

What does asexual mean? A person who is asexual experiences no sexual attraction to others. Asexual people still experience romantic attraction and may participate in sexual activity. Asexuality is not the same thing as celibacy or abstinence. It’s not a choice or disorder. It is a sexual orientation that falls on a spectrum, and includes diverse identities, behaviors, and attractions. What are some other words related to asexual?affectional orientationaromanticbisexualdemisexualomnisexualpansexualsexual orientationgray-asexuality

Other Word Forms

• asexuality
  noun
• asexually
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of asexual

First recorded in 1820–30; a- ⁶ + sexual

Example Sentences

Nonetheless, I hope this research will help normalize the idea that asexuals can thrive in romantic relationships.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2022

There were so many of us, each unique and all so in defiance of popular media stereotypes of asexuals as robotic, drab, or naïve.

From The Verge • Aug. 10, 2022

Q. No asexuals: I just told my boyfriend that I’m asexual.

From Slate • Nov. 27, 2017

Some theories predict that transposable elements should be either absent from the genomes of asexuals or undergo unrestrained expansion after the switch to asexuality, potentially leading to species extinction unless transposable element proliferation is prevented.

From Nature • Aug. 21, 2013

“Ace” is the nickname for asexuals — people who aren’t sexually attracted to either gender, to anyone at all.

From Washington Post