adjective
polysexual
pol-ee-SEK-shoo-uhl
Polysexual (adjective) means Attracted to people of many genders, but not necessarily all of them. Example: “She came out as polysexual in her final year of school.”
adjective
1
Attracted to people of many genders, but not necessarily all of them.
"She came out as polysexual in her final year of school."
"He describes himself as polysexual because he is drawn to women and non-binary people but not to men."
noun
1
A person who is attracted to people of many genders, but not necessarily all of them.
"The group runs a monthly meet-up for bisexuals, pansexuals and polysexuals."
How to use polysexual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAttracted to people of several genders, though not every gender.
When to use it
Neutral and non-clinical; used mainly as a self-description within LGBTQ+ communities.
Memory tip
Polysexual is about who you are attracted to; polyamorous is about how many people you date at once. They are unrelated.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
identify as polysexual
polysexual pride flag
polysexual attraction
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Etymology
From Greek polys meaning 'many' plus sexual, from Latin sexus.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for polysexual
See all rhymes for polysexual →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between polysexual and pansexual?
Polysexual means attraction to many genders but not all of them — a polysexual person may be drawn to some genders and not others. Pansexual means attraction that is not limited by gender at all. The distinction is one of scope, and people choose whichever label fits their own experience.
What is the difference between polysexual and bisexual?
Bisexual traditionally means attraction to two or more genders, and today is often used broadly for attraction to one's own gender and others. Polysexual specifies attraction to multiple genders while leaving open that some are excluded, so it can feel more precise to people for whom bisexual reads as two.
Is polysexual the same as polyamorous?
No. Polysexual describes sexual orientation — which genders someone is attracted to. Polyamorous describes relationship structure — having more than one romantic partner with everyone's knowledge and consent. A person can be either, both or neither.
What is the meaning of polysexual?
"polysexual" (adjective) means attracted to people of many genders, but not necessarily all of them.
