asexual

adjective

asex·​u·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 

-shü-əl,

-ˈsek-shəl

1

: lacking sex or functional sex organs

asexual plants

2

a

: 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

3

a

: not involving, involved with, or relating to sex : devoid of sexuality (see sexuality sense 1)

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

—often used as a term of sexual identity or self-identification

the asexual community

people who identify as asexual

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

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

The report said authors found low certainty of evidence on the effects of gender-affirming surgeries on adolescents including suicidality, depression, asexual function, quality of life and regret. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2025

Often actors in big bodies are rendered as asexual or undesirable, perverse or hyper-sexualized. —Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Whether a reaction to the third film’s box office or to the controversies that have surrounded Cruise’s personal life for decades, Ethan went from romantic lead to vaguely asexual. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 May 2025

Fans have interpreted Murderbot as asexual, gender-fluid and on the autism spectrum. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see sexual

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

asexual

adjective

asex·​u·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈsek-shəl

1

: lacking sex

asexual organisms

2

: occurring or formed without the production and union of two kinds of gametes

asexual reproduction

asexual spores

3

: not involving or relating to sex or sexual feelings

an asexual relationship

an asexual person

4

: neither male nor female

asexually

-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

asexual

adjective

asex·​u·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl 

1

: lacking sex or functional sexual organs

asexual plants

2

: produced without sexual action or differentiation

asexual spores

3

: devoid of sexuality

an asexual relationship

asexuality

ˌā-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

plural asexualities

asexually

-ˈseksh-(ə-)wə-lē, -(ə-)lē 

adverb