sexual

¹

[ sek-shoo-uhlor, especially British, seks-yoo- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for sex:

   Publicly discussing sexual matters was frowned upon in those days.

   The store is known for selling sexual aids.

2. occurring between or involving the sexes:

   In humans, melatonin concentrations are related to sexual maturation, with significant decreases occurring at the onset of puberty.

3. 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

1. a combining form extracted from heterosexual and homosexual, used to describe a person's sexual orientation or identity: polysexual.

   pansexual;

   polysexual.

2. 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

/ ˈsɛksjʊəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
2. (of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametes Compare asexual

Derived Forms

• ˈsexually, adverb

Other Words From

• sex·u·al·ly adverb
• an·ti·sex·u·al adjective
• an·ti·sex·u·al·ly adverb
• non·sex·u·al adjective noun
• non·sex·u·al·ly adverb
• un·sex·u·al adjective
• un·sex·u·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sexual¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin sexuālis, from sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sexual¹

C17: from Late Latin sexuālis ; see sex

Example Sentences

This was two years after an investigation revealed he had subjected boys in the UK, many of whom he had met at Christian holiday camps run by a charity he chaired that was linked to the Church, to traumatic physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

From BBC

“He commented on my appearance - a lot. He suggested he wanted to come to my cell - I feel if I had been up for it, he would have wanted sexual favours.”

From BBC

A few years later, she created her own social media channel, where she shares with the more than 8,500 followers her own difficult process of accepting her daughter’s sexual orientation.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over allegations including sexual misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times

“Americans want to wake up in a normal country again,” Roberts began, likely euphemistically referring to Project 2025’s plan to all but erase federal protections and anti-discrimination measures based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

From Salon

Related Words

• carnal
• erotic
• intimate
• passionate
• reproductive
• sensual