sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being sexual: such as

a

: sexual reproduction (see reproduction sense 1)

b

: sexual activity

c

: expression of sexual receptivity or interest

High school can be confusing, and grappling with one's burgeoning sexuality, even more so.

—Eliza Berman

2

: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation

… the TV star told fans that she was "interested in both men and women" after a fan questioned her sexuality.

—Courtney Ciandella

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

She is comfortable with her sexuality.

a study of male sexuality

Recent Examples on the Web

The actor had faced pressure from within the industry, as well as from her family and her faith, to tamp down their sexuality. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 7 July 2025

This panel presented by SisterSong Reproductive Justice Collective, brings culture-shifters, policymakers, and storytellers together to explore how Reproductive Justice sits at the crossroads of race, gender, sexuality, policy, and pop culture. —Essence, 6 July 2025

Other members of the Murtaugh family included dad Jimmy Murtaugh, played by Levy, 78, plus Carmen Electra, Shawn Roberts, Jaime King and Robbie Amell, among others Stoner opened up about their sexuality in a candid first-person essay published in Teen Vogue in 2018. —Nicholas Rice, People.com, 6 July 2025

Her work shifted to a focus on the dynamics of couples and their sexuality. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sexuality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being sexual

Medical Definition

sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

plural sexualities

1

: the quality or state of being sexual:

a

biology : the condition of having sex (see sex entry 1 sense 1a)

b

: sexual activity

c

: expression of sexual receptivity or interest

2

: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : sexual orientation