sexual
gb/sˈɛkʃuəl/ us/sˈɛkʃuəl/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Relating to sex or sexuality
About sex, sexual activity, or sexual feelings.
Usage pattern:
[something] is sexual
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sexual' with 'sexy'. 'Sexual' is neutral and factual, while 'sexy' means sexually attractive.
Synonyms
erotic (More often refers to something sexually arousing, sometimes with an artistic or literary tone.)
Antonyms
nonsexual (Describes something not related to sex or sexuality.)
Collocations
sexual relationship
|sexual activity
|sexual attraction
|sexual orientation
|sexual harassment
Themes
relationships
|health
|human_body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie contains scenes of sexual content.
- They discussed the importance of sexual health in school.
- Sexual attraction can develop over time.
- The company has a strict policy against sexual harassment.
Learner examples
- They talked about sexual health in class.
- The book has some sexual scenes.
- Sexual attraction is normal.
- He was accused of sexual harassment.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
Relating to biological reproduction
In science, about making babies or new plants/animals by joining male and female cells.
Usage pattern:
[something] is sexual
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sexual' in biology with its everyday meaning about attraction or activity.
Synonyms
reproductive (General term for producing offspring; not always specific to two-parent reproduction.)
Antonyms
asexual (Describes reproduction without the involvement of two individuals or sexes.)
Collocations
sexual reproduction
|sexual dimorphism
|sexual selection
Themes
science
|biology
|animals
|nature
Examples
- Sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity.
- Many plants can reproduce through both sexual and asexual means.
- Sexual dimorphism refers to differences between males and females of a species.
Learner examples
- Sexual reproduction needs a male and a female.
- Many animals use sexual reproduction.
- Sexual dimorphism means males and females look different.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sexual
IPA
GB/sˈɛkʃuəl/
US/sˈɛkʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
sexu - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sexu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sexual
Word family
Expressions
sexual health
1/sˈɛkʃuəl hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
Health related to sexuality
Being healthy in your body and mind about sex and relationships.
Examples
- Schools offer classes on sexual health.
- Regular check-ups are important for maintaining sexual health.
sexual assault
1/sˈɛkʃuəl əsˈɔlt/
fixed phrase
Unwanted sexual physical contact
When someone touches another person sexually without their permission.
Examples
- The suspect was arrested for sexual assault.
- The university offers support services for survivors of sexual assault.
- Sexual assault is a serious crime.
- He is facing multiple counts of sexual assault after several women came forward.
- Many victims of sexual assault never report the crime to the police.
sexual attraction
1/sˈɛkʃuəl ətɹˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
Feeling drawn to someone sexually
When you feel you want to be sexual with someone.
Examples
- Sexual attraction can be immediate or develop over time.
- Sexual attraction is an important part of many romantic relationships.
- They felt a strong sexual attraction toward each other.
- There was a strong sexual attraction between the two characters in the movie.
- They talked openly about sexual attraction and consent in the workshop.
sexual harassment
1/sˈɛkʃuəl hɚˈæsmənt/
fixed phrase
Unwanted sexual behavior at someone
When someone says or does sexual things to another person that they do not want.
Examples
- The company has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
- The company has strict rules to prevent sexual harassment.
- She filed a complaint about sexual harassment in the workplace.
- Several students reported sexual harassment by a teacher.
sexual orientation
1/sˈɛkʃuəl ˌɔɹiɛntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
A person's romantic/sexual attraction type
The type of person you are attracted to, like men, women, both, or neither.
Examples
- His sexual orientation is not something he discusses publicly.
- The law protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Laws protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Students can talk about sexual orientation in a safe, respectful environment.
- They organized a workshop on sexual orientation and gender identity.