sexual
1 Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or for sex.
Publicly discussing sexual matters was frowned upon in those days.
The store is known for selling sexual aids.
-
occurring between or involving the sexes.
In humans, melatonin concentrations are related to sexual maturation, with significant decreases occurring at the onset of puberty.
-
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.
-
a combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.
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: lumbersexual.
vegansexual;
lumbersexual.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
-
(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
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.
Trials are about discovering the truth, and a jury should know if a defendant has been accused of rape or sexual assault in the past.
From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026
Even after former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out April 12 after multiple women accused him of sexual assault, Democrats are struggling to unite around one candidate.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
Her resignation shifts attention to Republican Cory Mills, who remains under investigation over allegations including sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations and misuse of his office, all of which he denies.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
It was a post-#MeToo law, the Adult Survivors Act, that allowed the journalist and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll to bring her civil sexual abuse case against Trump.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
Once again in the South, the combination of sexual and economic dangers ignited a thunderous reaction, but members of the Citizens’ Councils followed a course of action suited to the conservative nature of their class.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
