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

As a result, Ward argues, early advice givers were more interested in perpetuating heterosexual unions—that is, framing men and women’s mutual illegibility as natural—than in trying to improve gender relations. —Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025

With that progress comes a greater likelihood that heterosexual women will outearn their male romantic partners. —Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Noun

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

Recent reports suggest that poppers have recently made inroads among heterosexuals as well. —Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 14 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