demi·sex·u·al
ˌde-mē-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 
-ˈsek-shəl
: feeling sexual attraction towards another person only after establishing an emotional bond with that person
People who identify as demisexual only feel sexual attraction to another person if they form a strong emotional bond or connection with them first.—
Medical News Today
Medical News TodayFor example, there are many asexual and demisexual people who consider themselves polyamorous. These are people who don't really consider sex part of how they form romantic relationships, or don't feel sexual desire whatsoever.—Lindsay Dodgson
Lindsay Dodgson
plural demisexuals
: a person who feels sexual attraction towards another person only after establishing an emotional bond with that person
Some people under the asexual umbrella may identify as being a demisexual and can only experience sexual attraction when they have a … connection with another person.—Amber Leventry
Amber LeventryTo put it simply, demisexuals only like someone once they've formed a strong emotional connection. Then, and only then, can the possibility of sexual attraction arise.—Katie O'Malley and Becky Burgum
Katie O'Malley and Becky BurgumDemisexuals typically don't do one-night stands or have flings. We build our physical relationships from pieces of our emotional ones.—Amanda Finn
Amanda FinnExamples of demisexual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sage Jessica Murphy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
Other identities on the asexuality spectrum include demisexual, gray ace or queerplatonic.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 30 May 2024
The demisexual flag has the same colors as the asexual flag, but its own configuration to differentiate it.
—Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2022
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Adjective
My labels are demisexual and sapiosexual, or some combination of the two, which makes being attracted to someone when there is no intellectual or emotional spark improbable, if not impossible.
—Sage Jessica Murphy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
Other identities on the asexuality spectrum include demisexual, gray ace or queerplatonic.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 30 May 2024
The demisexual flag has the same colors as the asexual flag, but its own configuration to differentiate it.
—Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Demisexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demisexual. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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