sexuality
gb/sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/ us/sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
a person's sexual orientation or identity
How a person feels and identifies about who they are sexually or romantically attracted to, for example straight, gay, or bisexual.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s sexuality; questions about [someone]'s sexuality
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'sexuality' with 'sex'. 'Sex' usually means biological category (male/female) or the physical act, while 'sexuality' in this sense is about orientation and identity (straight, gay, etc.). Another common mistake is treating 'sexuality' as countable (✗ 'sexualities' in everyday use). In general English, it is almost always uncountable.
Synonyms
sexual orientation (More technical and focuses on the pattern of attraction; does not always include how a person labels or expresses themselves.)
Antonyms
asexuality (Refers to having little or no sexual attraction to others, which contrasts with most other forms of sexuality.)
Collocations
express one's sexuality
|explore one's sexuality
|question one's sexuality
|accept one's sexuality
|hide one's sexuality
|sexuality and gender identity
Themes
identity
|relationships
|society
|gender
|health
Examples
- She came out to her family and spoke openly about her sexuality.
- Many young people need safe spaces to explore their sexuality without judgment.
- The film was praised for its honest portrayal of teenage sexuality.
- He said that his sexuality is only one part of who he is.
- Discrimination based on someone's sexuality is illegal in many countries.
Learner examples
- He is not ready to talk about his sexuality yet.
- She learned to accept her sexuality in her twenties.
- People should not lose a job because of their sexuality.
- The book helped him understand his sexuality better.
- They support equal rights for people of every sexuality.
Noun
B2
entity
2
overall sexual feelings and behavior
All of a person’s sexual feelings, actions, values, and relationships, often talked about as an important part of human life and health.
Usage pattern:
human sexuality; [adjective] sexuality (e.g. adolescent sexuality)
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'sexuality' when they only mean 'sex' as a physical act (✗ 'They had sexuality last night'). In this sense, use 'sex' for the act ('They had sex last night') and 'sexuality' for the broader topic or aspect of life. Also, 'sexuality' here is usually used in general statements or academic and health contexts, not for single events.
Synonyms
sexual life (More informal and personal, focusing on an individual's sexual experiences rather than sexuality as a broad concept.)
Antonyms
asexuality (Describes the absence of sexual attraction, contrasting with sexuality understood as a common part of human experience.)
Collocations
human sexuality
|adolescent sexuality
|sexuality education
|sexuality research
|sexuality studies
|childhood sexuality
Themes
health
|psychology
|education
|relationships
Examples
- The course offers an introduction to human sexuality from biological and cultural perspectives.
- Parents often find it difficult to talk about sexuality with their children.
- Her research focuses on how culture shapes adolescent sexuality.
- Comprehensive sexuality education can help reduce unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
- The book examines the history of sexuality in Western societies.
Learner examples
- The class is about human sexuality and health.
- Some schools do not teach much about sexuality.
- Talking about sexuality can be uncomfortable for many people.
- Movies can influence how teenagers think about sexuality.
- Good information about sexuality helps people make safe choices.
Noun
C1
property
3
quality of being sexually attractive
How much a person seems sexually attractive or sexual in the way they look, move, or act.
Usage pattern:
[adjective] sexuality (e.g. raw sexuality); [someone]'s sexuality
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sexuality' with 'sexual' used as an adjective (✗ 'The film is very sexuality'). Use 'sexuality' as a noun (✓ 'The film has a lot of sexuality') and 'sexual' as an adjective (✓ 'The film is very sexual'). Also, 'sexuality' sounds more formal or analytic than 'sexiness' in this sense.
Synonyms
sexiness (More informal and direct; often sounds less analytical and more like everyday praise or comment.)
Antonyms
sexlessness (Suggests a lack of sexual energy or appeal, the opposite of visible or felt sexuality in this sense.)
Collocations
raw sexuality
|overt sexuality
|subtle sexuality
|sensuality and sexuality
|radiate sexuality
|project sexuality
Themes
appearance
|relationships
|emotions
Examples
- The performance was full of raw sexuality and emotional intensity.
- She carries herself with a quiet sexuality that draws people in.
- The ad was criticized for using overt sexuality to sell products.
- His photography explores the line between vulnerability and sexuality.
- The role required the actor to show both innocence and sexuality at the same time.
Learner examples
- The singer shows a lot of sexuality on stage.
- The movie uses strong sexuality to get attention.
- Her clothes and body language express her sexuality.
- The dance performance was full of energy and sexuality.
- He wanted to reduce the sexuality in the video.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
4
sexual characteristics in biology
In science, the way a plant, animal, or other living thing has male and female parts or roles for making babies.
Usage pattern:
the sexuality of [a species/organism]
Common mistake:
Learners rarely use this technical sense and may wrongly apply everyday meanings of 'sexuality' to scientific texts. In biology, 'sexuality' often refers specifically to reproductive systems, not identity or attraction.
Synonyms
reproductive biology (Broader and more common in technical writing; covers more than just sexual characteristics.)
Antonyms
asexual reproduction (Reproduction without sexual organs or mating, in contrast to sexuality understood as involving male and female functions.)
Collocations
plant sexuality
|animal sexuality
|the sexuality of the species
|flower sexuality
|reproductive sexuality
Themes
science
|biology
|health
Examples
- The book includes a chapter on the sexuality of flowering plants.
- Scientists are still debating the evolution of animal sexuality in certain species.
- Fungal sexuality is far more complex than the simple male–female model.
- Environmental changes can affect the sexuality and fertility of marine organisms.
- The study examined how temperature influences the sexuality of the species.
Learner examples
- The teacher talked about the sexuality of plants in science class.
- In biology, we studied the sexuality of different animals.
- Some simple animals do not have clear sexuality like male or female.
- The article explains the sexuality of this flower in detail.
- They compare the sexuality of two related species.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sexuality
IPA
GB/sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
US/sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
Syllables & stress
sexu - al - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sexuality
- Plural: sexualities, sexuality
Word family
Forms
sexualities
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
asexual
adjective
asexuality
noun
nonsexual
adjective
Advanced or less common
sexualize
verb
sexualization
noun
Expressions
explore your sexuality
1/ɪksplˈɔɹ jˈʊɹ sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
learn and experiment with sexuality
To try different things or think deeply so you can understand your sexual feelings and identity better.
Examples
- College was a time for her to explore her sexuality.
- Many young adults explore their sexuality through dating and relationships.
- Therapy gave him space to explore his sexuality without judgment.
express your sexuality
1/ɪkspɹˈɛs jˈʊɹ sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
show who you are sexually
To show who you are sexually, for example through how you dress, act, or choose partners.
Examples
- Everyone should be free to express their sexuality without fear.
- She feels more confident now and expresses her sexuality in her art.
- The club is a safe place where people can express their sexuality openly.
human sexuality
1/hjˈumən sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
sexuality in human beings
All sexual feelings, actions, identities, and relationships in people, looked at as an important part of human life.
Examples
- The documentary explores human sexuality across different cultures.
- Understanding human sexuality is important for public health work.
- The professor teaches a popular course on human sexuality.
overt sexuality
1/oʊvˈɚt sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
very visible sexual behavior
Sexual behavior, clothing, or style that is very clear and easy for other people to see.
Examples
- Some viewers complained about the overt sexuality in the music video.
- The ad relies heavily on overt sexuality to attract attention.
- The film was criticized for its overt sexuality and lack of plot.
question one's sexuality
1/kwˈɛst͡ʃən wˈʌnz sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
doubt your sexual orientation
To feel unsure about your sexual orientation or identity and think about what it really is.
Examples
- He began to question his sexuality in his late teens.
- It is common to question your sexuality at different points in your life.
- She is questioning her sexuality and does not want to put a label on it yet.
repressed sexuality
1/ɹipɹˈɛst sˌɛkʃuˈæləti/
fixed phrase
sexual feelings held back
Sexual feelings that a person does not allow themselves to feel or show, often because of fear, shame, or strict rules.
Examples
- The novel deals with themes of repressed sexuality and social control.
- Years of strict education left him with deeply repressed sexuality.
- Therapy helped her understand how her repressed sexuality affected her relationships.
sexuality education
1/sˌɛkʃuˈæləti ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
teaching about sex and sexuality
Lessons or programs that teach people about bodies, sexual health, relationships, and sexuality.
Examples
- Comprehensive sexuality education is recommended by many health organizations.
- The school introduced a new sexuality education curriculum.
- Parents can play an important role in their children's sexuality education.