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adj Uncommon

heterosexual

heh-tuh-ruh-SEHK-shoo-uhl

Heterosexual (adj) means Romantically or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex. Example: “Most of the characters in the show are heterosexual.”

adj
1
Romantically or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
"Most of the characters in the show are heterosexual."
noun
1
A person who is heterosexual.
"The survey asked respondents whether they identified as heterosexual, gay, or bisexual."

How to use heterosexual

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes attraction to the opposite sex; the opposite of homosexual.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more heterosexual comparative, heterosexuals plural, most heterosexual superlative

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Most of the characters in the show are _____.

Etymology

Built from the prefix "hetero-" ("different, other") plus "sexual." First recorded in English in 1892, in a translation of Krafft-Ebing's Psychopathia Sexualis.

· First attested 1892

Class of 1892 heterosexual joined the language around 1892.
See the full Class of 1892 →

Related words

Rhymes for heterosexual

See all rhymes for heterosexual →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of heterosexual?

"heterosexual" (adj) means romantically or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

What is another word for heterosexual?

Other words for "heterosexual" include straggot, breeder.

What is the opposite of heterosexual?

The opposite of "heterosexual" is homosexual.

What are the different meanings of heterosexual?

"heterosexual" has 2 main meanings: 1. Romantically or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex; 2. A person who is heterosexual.

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