heterosexual

[ het-er-uh-sek-shoo-uh l or, esp. British, -seks-yoo- ]

/ ˌhɛt ər əˈsɛk ʃu əl or, esp. British, -ˈsɛks yu- /

adjective

of, relating to, or exhibiting heterosexuality.

Biology. pertaining to the opposite sex or to both sexes.

noun

a heterosexual person.

Origin of heterosexual

First recorded in 1890–95; hetero- + sexual

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heterosexual

However much we gossip about heterosexual couples with large age gaps, we at least refrain from calling them sex offenders.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The children were assessed over time and those results were matched to children from heterosexual couples.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 12|PunditFact.com|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Homosexual acts come naturally to them, heterosexual acts do not.
The Vatican's Same-Sex Synod: The Bishops Hear About Reality. Do They Listen?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It takes nothing away from heterosexual couples, or for that matter anyone.
Who Are the Judicial Activists Now?|Michael Tomasky|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I mean, when was the last time that anybody complained that a heterosexual was running against another heterosexual?
It’s Trans vs. Gay in This Maryland Election|Gideon Resnick|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nearly all heterosexual shoe-fetichists seem, however, to be equally attracted by high heels.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
It is only a small proportion of heterosexual persons who experience these impulses under such conditions.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
Homosexual Eros has a different finality than heterosexual Eros.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
Homosexual choice of object is originally more natural to narcism than the heterosexual.
A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis|Sigmund Freud
Eliminating all these, there remain 44 heterosexual captures of adults.
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor|Henry S. Fitch

British Dictionary definitions for heterosexual

heterosexual

/ (ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɛksjʊəl) /

noun

a person who is sexually attracted to the opposite sex

adjective

of or relating to heterosexuality

Compare homosexual

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heterosexual

heterosexual

adj.

1892, in C.G. Craddock's translation of Krafft-Ebbing's "Psychopathia Sexualis," a hybrid; see hetero- + sexual. The noun is recorded from 1920, but not in common use until 1960s. Colloquial shortening hetero is attested from 1933.

Medicine definitions for heterosexual

heterosexual

[ hĕt′ə-rō-sĕk′shōō-əl ]

adj.

Sexually oriented to persons of the opposite sex.

n.

A heterosexual person.

heterosexual

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of heterosexual

Examples from the Web for heterosexual

heterosexual

noun

adjective

heterosexual

heterosexual

adj.

n.