sexual
adjective
of, relating to, or for sex.
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sexual
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-sexual
-sexuala combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.
sexual
1 American
[sek-shoo-uhl, seks-yoo-]
/ ˈsɛk ʃu əl, ˈsɛks ju- /
adjective
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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.
-sexual
2
American
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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.
sexual
British
/ ˈsɛksjʊəl /
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
Etymology
Origin of sexual
First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin sexuālis, from sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al 1
Compare meaning
How does sexual compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Anything that's related to reproduction can be described as sexual. It's also used to describe an intimate kind of attraction that occurs between people. Sexual reproduction happens in animals (including people) when a female's egg and a male's sperm fuse together and go through a process of cell division which results in a baby — or a litter of baby animals. People also use this adjective for things that are connected to or suggest sex, in both the "intimate contact" sense, and also the physical differences that define men and women.
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.
Because those with diarrhea can spread salmonella to others, it’s also recommended to avoid sharing food or preparing meals for others, sexual contact and swimming in public pools, and to stay home while sick.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
He added that lifelong anonymity was given to complainants in sexual offence cases and "great attention must be taken" to make sure this was not undermined or victims were not discouraged from coming forward.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
Gemma said she wanted victims to feel empowered to report sexual assaults.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
At the same time, she deftly addresses the era’s shifting sexual politics and role of women in The Beatles’ story.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026
Only 23 percent of Americans believed black people wanted to marry and/or have sexual relations with whites.5 Clearly, we still had a long way to go.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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.
