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 notesIn plain EnglishDescribes attraction to the opposite sex; the opposite of homosexual.
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Word forms
- Plural
- heterosexuals
- Comparative
- more heterosexual
- Superlative
- most heterosexual
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Class of 1892
heterosexual joined the language around 1892.
See the full Class of 1892 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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, straight.
What is the opposite of heterosexual?
Opposites of "heterosexual" include bisexual, 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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