DictionaryAI

sexual

SaySEK-shoo-uhl/ˈsɛk.ʃu.əl/UK/ˈsɛk.ʃuː.əl/

8 meanings of sexual

Practice

  1. 1
    of intercourseadjective
    Having to do with sex or the ways people behave about sex.

    The movie has some sexual scenes that aren't right for young kids.

    They talked openly about their sexual relationship.

    UsageSay sexual content or a sexual relationship.

    Oppositenonsexual

  2. 2
    charged with desireadjective
    Having sexual feelings, or showing them in the way someone acts.

    In the film, she plays a confident and very sexual woman.

    The painting gives off a strong sexual energy.

    Similarsensual, erotic, sexy, carnal, passionate

    Oppositesexless, chaste, asexual

    Note
  3. 3
    genderadjective
    Coming from being male or female, or about how the sexes relate.

    She spent her whole life fighting for sexual equality.

    Researchers measured the sexual differences in body size among the birds.

    UsageIn sexual equality, it means about men and women.

    Similargendered

    Note
  4. 4
    adjective
    Feeling sexually attracted to other people, unlike someone who is asexual.

    Most people are sexual, but some feel no sexual attraction at all.

    Her partner is asexual, while she is sexual.

    UsageIt is the opposite of asexual. Allosexual is clearer.

    Similarallosexual

    Oppositeasexual

    Note
  5. 5
    reproducing by matingadjective
    Able to make young by joining two sex cells, usually from two parents.

    Like needing both a mom and a dad to make a baby.

    Most animals are sexual and need two parents to reproduce.

    Some plants are sexual, while others can simply copy themselves.

    Oppositeasexual

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    adjectiveobsolete
    Having to do with women or the female sex.
    [T]he inquiry is whether she have reason or not. If she have, which, for a moment, I will take for granted, she was not created merely to be the solace of man, and the sexual should not destroy the human character.
    1791, Mary Wollstonecraft, “Observations on the State of Degradation to which Woman is Reduced by Various Causes”Here, the sexual means what belongs to women as a sex, their female side.

    Similarfeminine

    Note
  2. 7
    noun
    A person who feels sexual attraction or is interested in sex, unlike someone who is asexual.
  3. 8
    noun
    A living thing that makes young by joining two sex cells instead of copying itself, or a whole species that does.

Practice

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Origin

From Latin sexualis, from sexus meaning "sex."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts