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

Then the Equality Act of 2010 came along to set out legal protections against discrimination for specific groups - with “sex”, "sexual orientation" and “gender reassignment” included as protected characteristics.

From BBC

A Fox News contributor said Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Department of Defense "is a problem" for her as a survivor of sexual assault.

From Salon

Referring to an assessment of Mr Pelicot made by a psychiatrist earlier in the trial, Ms Chabaud said that the defendant presented "multiple sexual deviances".

From BBC

Evidence of sexual abuse, including testimony from friends and relatives of the family, was included when the siblings were first tried with separate juries, which ended with the jurors unable to reach unanimous verdicts.

From Los Angeles Times

Their engagement-at-all-cost algorithms are designed for profit and not to protect against sexual predation or degrading children’s mental health.

From Salon

Related Words

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