heterosexual
gb/hˌɛtɚoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/ us/hˌɛtɚoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
B2
English
~ 8900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
sexually attracted to opposite sex
Feeling sexual and usually romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is heterosexual / heterosexual [relationship/person/marriage]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'heterosexual' with 'homosexual' because the words look similar. Remember: 'hetero-' means 'different', so 'heterosexual' is attraction to a different sex; 'homo-' means 'same', so 'homosexual' is attraction to the same sex. Learners may also overuse the formal adjective when the neutral informal word 'straight' would sound more natural in casual conversation.
Synonyms
straight (Very common informal word; sounds more casual and is used more in everyday speech than 'heterosexual'.)
Antonyms
homosexual (General opposite; describes sexual attraction to people of the same sex.)
|
gay (Common everyday opposite; usually refers to men attracted to men but often used more broadly for same‑sex attraction.)
Collocations
heterosexual relationship
|heterosexual couple
|heterosexual marriage
|heterosexual man
|heterosexual woman
|heterosexual orientation
Themes
identity
|relationships
|society
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He has always identified as heterosexual.
- They are in a long‑term heterosexual relationship and plan to get married next year.
- The survey asked whether participants were heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
- Some films still show only heterosexual couples as romantic leads.
- She grew up in a very traditional, heterosexual family structure.
Learner examples
- My brother is heterosexual and dates women.
- The movie shows a happy heterosexual couple.
- The form asks if you are heterosexual or not.
- Many heterosexual people support LGBTQ+ rights.
- He said he is heterosexual but has many gay friends.
Noun
B2
entity
2
a person attracted to opposite sex
A person who feels sexual and usually romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a heterosexual / many heterosexuals [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'a heterosexual' when they only need the adjective, saying things like *'He is heterosexual man'* instead of *'He is a heterosexual man'* or *'He is heterosexual.'* They may also feel the noun sounds too formal or distant in contexts where 'straight person' would be more natural in spoken English.
Synonyms
straight person (More informal and common in speech; sounds friendlier and less clinical than 'heterosexual'.)
Antonyms
homosexual (Refers to a person who is attracted to others of the same sex; direct contrast in terms of sexual orientation.)
|
gay person (Everyday opposite; usually refers to a man attracted to men but often used more broadly.)
Collocations
a heterosexual
|many heterosexuals
|gay and heterosexuals
|heterosexuals and homosexuals
|openly heterosexual
|mostly heterosexuals
Themes
identity
|relationships
|society
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The group includes heterosexuals, bisexuals, and gay people working together for equality.
- As a heterosexual, he still speaks out against homophobia.
- Many heterosexuals do not realize the privileges they have in some societies.
- The study compared the experiences of heterosexuals and LGBTQ+ individuals at work.
- She said that most of her friends are heterosexuals, but they are very active in pride events.
Learner examples
- He is a heterosexual and has a wife.
- There are many heterosexuals and gay people in this city.
- I am not gay; I am a heterosexual.
- Some heterosexuals join LGBTQ+ events to show support.
- The club is open to heterosexuals and non‑heterosexuals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
heterosexual
IPA
GB/hˌɛtɚoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
US/hˌɛtɚoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
het - ero - sexu - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sexu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: heterosexual
Noun
- Base: heterosexual
- Plural: heterosexuals
Word family
Forms
heterosexuals
noun
Core family
heterosexuality
noun
heterosexually
adverb
Related words
straight
adjective A1
Negative and opposite forms
non-heterosexual
adjective
Advanced or less common
heteronormative
adjective
heteronormativity
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.