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

There were jokes about the sexuality of her four husbands. —Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026

Nico Mara-McKay Considers the Groundbreaking 2019 Graphic Memoir Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir Gender Queer is a coming-of-age narrative that explores gender identity, sexuality, and the long, often circular process of coming out. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

Paul McCartney claims Yoko Ono once made an interesting claim about John Lennon's sexuality. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Also present this weekend was Joan Semmel—a painter focused on sexuality, a surprising take on nudes, and her own aging body—a friend of my mother’s from decades of summers spent in East Hampton’s Springs neighborhood. —Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026

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