sexual
1 Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or for sex.
Publicly discussing sexual matters was frowned upon in those days.
The store is known for selling sexual aids.
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occurring between or involving the sexes.
In humans, melatonin concentrations are related to sexual maturation, with significant decreases occurring at the onset of puberty.
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having sexual organs or reproducing by processes involving both sexes.
The patterns of genetic variation in sexual species tend to be very different from those in asexual species.
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a combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.
pansexual;
polysexual.
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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: lumbersexual.
vegansexual;
lumbersexual.
adjective
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of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
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(of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametes Compare asexual
Other Word Forms
- antisexual adjective
- antisexually adverb
- nonsexual adjective
- nonsexually adverb
- sexually adverb
- unsexual adjective
- unsexually adverb
Etymology
Origin of sexual
First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin sexuālis, from sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al 1
Compare meaning
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One day earlier, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users about platform safety and failing to protect children from sexual predators.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Almost 30 states have curbed or outlawed “therapy” that seeks to change minors’ sexual orientation or gender identity—that is, to make them stop being gay, bisexual, or transgender.
From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026
Dr Katherine Gilmore, a consultant in community gynaecology and sexual and reproductive healthcare at the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, says she sees patients "all the time" who have seen inaccurate information.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
Intense angst over César Chávez’s legacy amid sexual abuse allegations is ripping through California classrooms, prompting teachers, scholars and school systems to urgently revamp lessons about one of California’s most widely taught historic figures.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
“So over the course of the year, we’ve talked about the importance of recognizing all sexual identities as legitimate,” I say.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
