asexual

adjective

asex·u·al | \ (ˌ)ā-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl

, -shü-əl, -ˈsek-shəl\

Definition of asexual

1 : lacking sex or functional sex organs asexual plants

2a : involving or reproducing by reproductive processes (such as cell division, spore formation, fission (see fission entry 1 sense 2), or budding (see bud entry 2 sense intransitive 3)) that do not involve the union of individuals or gametes asexual reproduction an asexual generation

b : produced by asexual reproduction asexual spores

3a : not involving, involved with, or relating to sex : devoid of sexuality an asexual relationship

b : not having sexual feelings toward others : not experiencing sexual desire or attraction In general, an asexual person does not feel or otherwise experience any sexual attraction, according to The Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN). Basically, it is an inborn absence of sexual desire.— Lindsay E. Mack

4 : not having or showing a particular sexual identity : neither male nor female … parents who first encounter the world of Pokemon through their youngsters may have no idea what this land of soft, rounded, asexual creatures is or what drives it.— Vince Horiuchi

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Other Words from asexual

asexual noun, plural asexuals

Many asexuals still have romantic attractions—identifying themselves as straight, gay or bisexual romantic—form committed relationships and value all the non-sexual benefits of a partnership that sexual individuals enjoy. Minus the sex. — Lori A. Brotto

asexuality \ ˌā-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē

, -shü-ˈa- \ noun

asexually \ (ˌ)ā-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-lē

, -shü-ə- , -ˌsek-sh(ə-)lē \ adverb

Examples of asexual in a Sentence

They had a completely asexual relationship.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Wright’s play, a naive but well-meaning scientist stumbles across a new kind of grass seed which needs no pesticides, almost no mowing, and is capable of asexual reproduction. — Brendan Kiley, The Seattle Times, "Revenge of the lawn: ‘Greensward’ at 12th Ave Arts," 13 July 2017 People who identify as sapiosexual may also identify as gay, straight, bisexual, asexual or something else. — Anna North, New York Times, "The Hottest Body Part? For a Sapiosexual, It’s the Brain," 2 June 2017 Scientists have long known that female cockroaches, like many other species, can give birth through parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which the females produce eggs without male participation. — Peter Landers, WSJ, "New Clues on Why You Can’t Escape Cockroaches," 20 Mar. 2017 Enter Monica Saccucci, an Ohio State undergraduate, who knew from previous research that asexual snails with extra genome copies regrow missing body parts significantly faster. — National Geographic, "Who Needs Males? Self-Cloning Females Heal Faster," 10 May 2016 A queer book featuring an asexual protagonist dealing with the pressures of internet fame and relationships? — Judith Utz, Teen Vogue, "Best Queer Books to Celebrate Pride 2017," 20 June 2017 Asexual: A person who experiences no sexual attraction to other people. — Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY, "LGBTQ definitions every good ally should know," 15 June 2017 This is a form of asexual reproduction where the original worm grows a second worm attached to its tail, Human Centipede-style, and eventually the new worm splits off. — Annalee Newitz, Ars Technica, "When flatworms go to space, they grow two heads," 13 June 2017 Last year, it was revealed in the Archie comic books that Jughead is asexual and Cole was pretty eager to have that aspect of the story portrayed on screen. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "Cole Sprouse on Whether Jughead Should Be "Asexual" or End Up With Betty on "Riverdale"," 12 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asexual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near asexual

as far as (someone) is concerned

as far as (something) is concerned

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Time Traveler for asexual

The first known use of asexual was in 1795

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More Definitions for asexual

asexual

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of asexual

: not having or including sex

technical : of or relating to a kind of reproduction that does not involve the combining of male and female cells

See the full definition for asexual in the English Language Learners Dictionary

asexual

adjective

asex·u·al | \ ˈā-ˈsek-shə-wəl

Kids Definition of asexual

: formed by, characterized by, or being a process of reproduction (as the dividing of one cell into two cells) that does not involve the combining of male and female germ cells