heterosexual

1 of 2

adjective

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

-ˈsek-shəl

1

a

: 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

heterosexuality

ˌhe-tə-rō-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

heterosexually

ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-lē 

-ˈsek-shə-lē

adverb

heterosexual

2 of 2

noun

plural heterosexuals

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

Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For the foreseeable future, IVF will remain irreplaceable for some families, including single parents, heterosexual couples whose future children are at high risk of genetic anomalies, and LGBTQ couples pursuing reciprocal IVF, in which one parent provides the egg and another carries the pregnancy. —Lucy Tu, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025

According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control data, 41% of LGBTQ+ students have seriously considered suicide, compared to 13% of cisgender and heterosexual students. —Molly Gibbs july 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025

Noun

If polyamory feels like a fashionable subplot for Bechdel to tackle, this is only because heterosexuals have recently discovered in it a promising balm for yuppie malaise. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025

For instance, the black lesbian mayor of Cambridge, who succeeded the black gay mayor, seems to have had no comment on Toner’s outing as a heterosexual. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heterosexual

1 of 2 adjective

het·​ero·​sex·​u·​al ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈsek-shəl

: of, relating to, or marked by sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex

heterosexuality

-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

heterosexual

2 of 2 noun

: a heterosexual individual

Medical Definition

heterosexual

1 of 2 adjective

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

1

a

: 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

heterosexually

-ˈseksh-(ə-)wə-lē, -ˈsek-shə-lē 

adverb

heterosexual

2 of 2 noun

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