sexy
Americanadjective
-
provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest
a sexy dress
a sexy book
-
feeling sexual interest; aroused
-
interesting, exciting, or trendy
a sexy project
a sexy new car
Usage
What is a basic definition of sexy? Sexy describes something as arousing interest related to sex, having a large amount of sex-related content, or being very exciting. If something is sexy, it causes sexual arousal in people who are exposed to it or it is designed to emphasize sexual matters. Sexy can be used to describe both other people and objects. A person may describe themselves as sexy if they feel confident and attractive. Something that is more sexually arousing than something else is sexier, and something that is the most arousing is sexiest.
- Real-life examples: Models often wear sexy clothing in advertisements. Exotic dancers perform sexy dances to entertain customers. People magazine annually ranks the sexiest men alive.
- Used in a sentence: The actor recited the lines using a sexy voice.
- Real-life examples: Pornography often takes the form of sexy movies. Romance novels are often (but not always) sexy books. Singer Barry White is famous for writing many sexy songs.
- Used in a sentence: Joe hid his sexy magazines so his little brother wouldn’t find them.
- Real-life examples: A shiny new sports car might be described as a sexy car. A laptop that is sleek and eye catching may be said to have a sexy design.
- Used in a sentence: Paying your rent might not be sexy, but it keeps a roof over your head.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of sexy
Explanation
If a movie review describes an actor as sexy, it means he's extremely attractive and appealing. These days, this word can also be used to describe anything exciting or stylish: you might wish your old flip phone had all the sexy features of a sleek smartphone but, hey, at least you can make calls! When a person is described as sexy, they're interesting in a romantic or arousing way. A sexy song might be incredibly romantic, made for slow dancing, or an ad might tout sexy shoes that look amazing and will be the envy of all your friends. The word sexy is often used more broadly to refer to appealing or enticing things — clothes, cars, even ideas. Before sexy was coined, around 1905, the equivalent word was sexful.
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.
Super has said women don’t have to forgo comfort to be sexy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Eurocentric and Western beauty standards, further reinforced by 90s diet culture, also promoted skinny as the new sexy.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
So, don’t ignore IPOs in less sexy industries, even as the window for new tech offerings starts to open wide.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Speaking to the BBC, these counter-influencers admit that fact-checked, evidence-based information can be difficult to make "sexy" on social media.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
He was wiry, slight, with small, downward- sloping eyes and an intellectual, ravaged-looking face that she found sexy though not handsome.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
