bisexual

adjective bi·sex·u·al \ (ˌ)bī-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl , -shəl \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of bisexual

1 a : possessing characters of both sexes and especially both male and female reproductive structures : hermaphroditic

bisexual flowers

b : of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to members of both sexes; also : engaging in sexual activity with partners of more than one gender

2 : of, relating to, or involving both sexes

bisexual reproduction

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bisexual

noun

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bisexuality

play \ˌbī-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē\ noun

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bisexually

play \(ˌ)bī-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-lē, -sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

See bisexual defined for English-language learners

See bisexual defined for kids

Recent Examples of bisexual from the Web

This particular feature would, in fact, become a Real World mainstay after Hawaii, despite the fact that the very presence of that unchecked booze caused bisexual Rutgers student Ruthie Alcaide to leave the show for treatment.

— rebecca schuman, Longreads, "When ‘The Real World’ Gave Up on Reality," 6 June 2018
Other prominent winners included Roxane Gay (who won the Trustee Award and also the award for bisexual nonfiction for her memoir, Hunger) and eminent writer Edmund White, who won the Lambda visionary award.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "Two Philly writers win big at the Lambda Literary Awards," 5 June 2018
The show, which currently has a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was criticized for its bisexual erasure, overall lack of focus, and ultimate lack of understanding of what teens in 2018 are actually like.

— refinery29.com, "The Heathers Reboot Is Looking For A New Home — But Should They Even Bother?," 3 June 2018
Doris, a bisexual with an affinity for plaid, borrows a satellite from school and parks it beside the hole.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award Grand Prize winner: "Church of Pit" by Dustin Hyman," 2 June 2018
In addition to her unique paintings, Lempicka was also known for being bisexual, often speaking publicly about her affairs with both men and women.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Who is Tamara de Lempicka? Google honors Polish Art Deco artist," 16 May 2018
McCullers was a bisexual alcoholic who fell in and out of love easily and whose husband frequently cheated on her.

— wei-huan chen, Houston Chronicle, "Suzanne Vega presents love letter to her literary hero Carson McCullers at Alley Theatre," 8 Feb. 2018
In 2010, DC Comics reintroduced Aqualad as a bisexual black teenager.

— jason johnson, The Root, "Is Making Star Wars’ Lando Calrissian ‘Pansexual’ an Assault on Black Manhood? Maybe, but Not in the Way You Think," 18 May 2018
As Rosa Diaz, now openly bisexual, Stephanie Beatriz was my favorite block of ice ever.

— matthew gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Fans don’t want to say goodbye to their TV friends on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’," 11 May 2018

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

First Known Use of bisexual

1793

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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BISEXUAL Defined for English Language Learners

bisexual

adjective

Definition of bisexual for English Language Learners

: sexually attracted to both men and women
: having both male and female sex parts
: relating to or involving two sexes

Medical Dictionary

bisexual

adjective bi·sex·u·al \ (ˈ)bī-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl \

medical Definition of bisexual

1 a : possessing characters of both sexes and especially both male and female reproductive structures : hermaphroditic

b : of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to be sexually atttracted toward individuals of both sexes : engaging in sexual activity with partners of either sex

2 : of, relating to, or involving two sexes