What does "sexuality" mean?
The quality of being sexual; that which is characterized or distinguished by sex.
Sexuality
/sɛk.ʃuˈæ.lə.ti/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The quality of being sexual; that which is characterized or distinguished by sex.
- Grammar: sexuality is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: animality, bawdiness, carnality, clitoromania.
- Useful contrasts: asexuality, nonsexuality.
- Usage evidence: Our talk about the sexuality of flies could offend some people.
How to use "sexuality"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sexuality" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sexuality" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sexuality" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sexuality" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sexuality" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "animality" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sexuality", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The quality of being sexual; that which is characterized or distinguished by sex. countable, uncountable
"Sexuality, then, is related to both biological sex and gender, and simultaneously is quite distinct from them. […] We employ sexuality to refer to all kinds of sexual relations, including sexual activities, eroticism, sexual identities, sexual meanings, and sexual politics."
- 2 the properties that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive roles wordnet
- 3 Sexual activity; concern with, or interest in, sexual activity. countable, uncountable
"[W]hen adults with mild mental retardation are allowed to express their sexuality in appropriate ways, they are, in general, competent in terms of biological capability, sexual desire, and the psychological significance they attribute to sexual behavior[…]. However, they typically lack basic information about sexuality that would enhance their ability to engage in intimate relationships, as well as help them to be aware of the implications of that behavior and to protect themselves from exploitation."
- 4 Sexual potency. countable, uncountable
"As his sexual activity is aggressive, so he is interested in display and in manifestation of his sexuality, if not directly, then in contest against other men. And the whole of his life manifests his inner need to take initiative."
- 5 Sexual orientation. countable, uncountable
"[T]his prospective gay adoptive father chose not to disclose his sexuality to the caseworker who interviewed him at his home, rather than admit that he was a gay man, in order to avoid being told he could not adopt."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Sexual identity, gender. countable, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"Our talk about the sexuality of flies could offend some people."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sexuality"?
Common synonyms include: animality, bawdiness, carnality, clitoromania, coldness, concupiscence.
How do you use "sexuality" in a sentence?
Our talk about the sexuality of flies could offend some people.
How do you pronounce "sexuality"?
Pronounced /sɛk.ʃuˈæ.lə.ti/.
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin sexuālitās.