heterosexual

adjective

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het·ero·sex·u·al | \ ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl

, -ˈsek-shəl \

Definition of heterosexual

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex heterosexual men/women a heterosexual couple

b : of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex

2 : of or relating to different sexes

heterosexual

noun

plural heterosexuals

Definition of heterosexual (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual person

Other Words from heterosexual More Example Sentences Learn More About heterosexual

Other Words from heterosexual

Adjective

heterosexuality \ ˌhe-tə-rō-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē

\ noun

heterosexually \ ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-lē

, -ˈsek-shə-lē \ adverb

Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Four of the plaintiffs identified as heterosexual, and 76 as LGBTQ; one plaintiff identified as male at the time of the appointment with Kelly but now identifies as a woman, said Mikayla Kellogg, one of the lead attorneys in the case. — Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Wolfe Herd founded Bumble in 2014 as a dating app that required women in heterosexual matches to make the first move, changing the culture of online dating and helping to cut down on unwanted messages received by women on the app. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2021 The clinic then began seeing heterosexual couples where they were seen by male and female therapists. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2022 About 20% reporting that they had been physically abused by a parent or other adult in their home, compared to 10% of heterosexual students. — Julie Washington, cleveland, 15 Apr. 2022 Many require a medical diagnosis of infertility, defined in heterosexual terms, or proof that the individual/couple is unable to conceive children through intercourse. — Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2022 But today, we're distracted by Villanelle and Eve, who have finally patched things up after getting caught in a rainstorm and spending the night in a bothy shelter along with a pair of insufferable heterosexual hikers. — Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Joanna Syrda, an assistant economics professor at the University of Bath School of Management in England, recently studied over 6,000 heterosexual North American married households in which wives outearn husbands. — Jane Thier, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2022 As the latest entry into the heterosexual commitment bootcamp TV genre, The Ultimatum introduces a surprising new concept: love. — Jenny Singer, Glamour, 6 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Shifting our wider definition of family is not just about including those who are childfree or prospective parents who sit outside of the heterosexual, cis norm. — Sadhbh O'sullivan, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2022 Adding to the sense of unreality is the utter lack, in a book teeming with brothels and game parlors, of any courtesans catering to (or anyone having) preferences other than the heterosexual. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2021 Wilde wrote as a voice from Fullerton’s London years, and Fullerton in Paris had left all that behind to become an enthusiastic heterosexual. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020 Wilde wrote as a voice from Fullerton’s London years, and Fullerton in Paris had left all that behind to become an enthusiastic heterosexual. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020 Wilde wrote as a voice from Fullerton’s London years, and Fullerton in Paris had left all that behind to become an enthusiastic heterosexual. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020 Also, there is not a single minute of film in which Evan Hansen comes across as heterosexual, which is a problem when the main driver of the plot is Evan’s unrequited love for a girl. — Kyle Smith, National Review, 23 Sep. 2021 Wilde wrote as a voice from Fullerton’s London years, and Fullerton in Paris had left all that behind to become an enthusiastic heterosexual. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020 Wilde wrote as a voice from Fullerton’s London years, and Fullerton in Paris had left all that behind to become an enthusiastic heterosexual. — Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heterosexual.' 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 heterosexual

heterosexism

heterosexual

heteroside

Statistics for heterosexual

Last Updated

14 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Heterosexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for heterosexual

heterosexual

adjective

het·ero·sex·u·al | \ ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl

Medical Definition of heterosexual

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between individuals of the opposite sex

b : of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex sexual relationships between individuals of opposite sexes are heterosexual— A. C. Kinsey

2 : of or relating to different sexes