heterosexual

1 of 2

adjective

het·​ero·​sex·​u·​al ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl How to pronounce heterosexual (audio)
-ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex
heterosexual men/women
a heterosexual couple
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
2
: of or relating to different sexes
heterosexually adverb

heterosexual

2 of 2

noun

plural heterosexuals
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual person

Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Christianity was never going to be enough to fix Aaron, especially considering the emphasis on tamping down his feelings and forcing a heterosexual relationship. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 In other words, white Christian nationalism evokes a set of hierarchies that positions white, Christian, heterosexual men as the divinely ordained ruling class. Robert P. Jones, TIME, 10 Sep. 2024
Noun
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure. Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024 The woke, progressive, intersectional, diversity, equity and inclusion mindset is a path to disaster for our nation, and especially for Jews, Asians and white male heterosexuals who are excluded from their zero-sum game. Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heterosexual 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterosexual was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near heterosexual

Cite this Entry

“Heterosexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

heterosexual

1 of 2 adjective
het·​ero·​sex·​u·​al ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce heterosexual (audio)
-ˈsek-shəl
: of, relating to, or marked by sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex
heterosexuality noun

heterosexual

2 of 2 noun
: a heterosexual individual

Medical Definition

heterosexual

1 of 2 adjective
het·​ero·​sex·​u·​al ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl How to pronounce heterosexual (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between individuals of the opposite sex
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
sexual relationships between individuals of opposite sexes are heterosexualA. C. Kinsey
2
: of or relating to different sexes

heterosexual

2 of 2 noun
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual individual

More from Merriam-Webster on heterosexual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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