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definitions

sexual

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

of, relating to, or for sex: sexual matters; sexual aids.
occurring between or involving the sexes: sexual relations.
having sexual organs or reproducing by processes involving both sexes.

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RELATED WORDS

reproductive, intimate, erotic, carnal, passionate, sensual, animal, bestial, fleshly, loving, sharing, voluptuous, wanton, animalistic, generative, genital, genitive, procreative, venereal

Nearby words

  1. sextuple,
  2. sextuplet,
  3. sextuplex,
  4. sextuplicate,
  5. sextus,
  6. sexual abuse,
  7. sexual deviation,
  8. sexual dimorphism,
  9. sexual dwarf,
  10. sexual generation

Origin of sexual

1645–55; < Late Latin sexuālis, equivalent to sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al1
Related forms

-sexual

a combining form extracted from homosexual and heterosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation, identity, or preferences:pansexual;polysexual.
a combining form extracted from metrosexual, used to describe a person's lifestyle, appearance, or way of dressing with regard to attracting or choosing a romantic partner:vegansexual;lumbersexual.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sexual

British Dictionary definitions for sexual

sexual

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
(of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametesCompare asexual (def. 2)
Derived Formssexually, adverb

Word Origin for sexual

C17: from Late Latin sexuālis; see sex
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 sexual

sexual

adj.

1650s, "of or pertaining to the fact of being male or female," from Late Latin sexualis "relating to sex," from Latin sexus (see sex (n.)). Meaning "pertaining to copulation or generation" is from 1766; sexual intercourse attested by 1778; sexual orientation by 1967; sexual harassment by 1975. Sexual revolution attested by 1962. Sexual politics is from 1970. Related: Sexually.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for sexual

sexual

[sĕk′shōō-əl]

adj.

Of, relating to, involving, or characteristic of sex, sexuality, the sexes, or the sex organs and their functions.
Implying or symbolizing erotic desires or activity.
Of, relating to, or involving the union of male and female gametes.
Related formssex′u•al•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.