sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being sexual: such as

a

: sexual reproduction (see reproduction sense 1)

b

: sexual activity

c

: expression of sexual receptivity or interest

High school can be confusing, and grappling with one's burgeoning sexuality, even more so.

—Eliza Berman

2

: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation

… the TV star told fans that she was "interested in both men and women" after a fan questioned her sexuality.

—Courtney Ciandella

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

She is comfortable with her sexuality.

a study of male sexuality

Recent Examples on the Web

Shane Gillis’ dumb joke raised serious issues about women, fashion and sexuality, columnist Robin Abcarian writes. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

But there was another personal factor helping out here, one — unlike Tommy’s sexuality — that wasn’t in the comic books. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

In this love letter to the landscapes of New York state, Kaishian reveals the kaleidoscopic complexity of gender and sexuality in the plant, fungal, and animal worlds. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Some people began to feel that we were owed private information about our favorite actor’s sexuality—if only to ensure that nothing akin to queerbaiting was taking place. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sexuality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being sexual

Medical Definition

sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

plural sexualities

1

: the quality or state of being sexual:

a

biology : the condition of having sex (see sex entry 1 sense 1a)

b

: sexual activity

c

: expression of sexual receptivity or interest

2

: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : sexual orientation