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Definition of sexual adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sexual

adjective
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/ˈsekʃuəl/
 
/ˈsekʃuəl/
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  1.  
     [usually before noun] connected with the physical activity of sex
    • sexual behaviour/activity/desire
    • sexual acts/offences
    • sexual abuse/assault/violence
    • They were not having a sexual relationship at the time.
    • He denied having had sexual relations with her.
    • She engaged frequently in casual sexual encounters.
    • The drop-in centres will provide a range of advice and support on sexual health.
    • Her interest in him is purely sexual.
    • sexual orientation/identity (= whether you are heterosexual, gay, bisexual, etc.)
    • a sexual partner (= a person who you have sex with)
    • He has not threatened them, or made overtly sexual remarks.
  2. [only before noun] connected with the process of producing young
    • the sexual organs (= the penis, vagina, etc.)
    • sexual reproduction
  3. [usually before noun] connected with the state of being male or female
    • sexual characteristics
    • sexual discrimination
    4. Word Originmid 17th cent.: from late Latin sexualis, from Latin sexus ‘sex’.
See sexual in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee sexual in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: sexual

Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
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