sexual
♦♦ sex|ual /s'ekʃuəl/
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual feelings or activities are connected with the act of sex or with people's desire for sex.
This was the first sexual relationship I had had...
Men's sexual fantasies often have little to do with their sexual desire.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
...sexually transmitted diseases...
How many kids in this school are sexually active?
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the differences between male and female people.
Women's groups denounced sexual discrimination.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v
If you're sexually harassed, you ought to do something about it.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals.
...couples of all sexual persuasions.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the biological process by which people and animals produce young.
Girls generally reach sexual maturity two years earlier than boys.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
The first organisms that reproduced sexually were free-floating plankton.sex|ual abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse, someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time.sex|ual har|ass|ment
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sexual harassment is repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, looks, or physical contact at work, usually a man's actions that offend a woman.sex|ual inter|course
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sexual intercourse is the physical act of sex between two people. (FORMAL)sex|ual ori|en|ta|tion (sexual orientations)
[N-VAR] oft poss N
Someone's sexual orientation is whether they are sexually attracted to people of the same sex, people of the opposite sex, or both.sex|ual pref|er|ence (sexual preferences)
[N-VAR] oft poss N
Someone's sexual preference is the same as their sexual orientation.
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual feelings or activities are connected with the act of sex or with people's desire for sex.
This was the first sexual relationship I had had...
Men's sexual fantasies often have little to do with their sexual desire.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
...sexually transmitted diseases...
How many kids in this school are sexually active?
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the differences between male and female people.
Women's groups denounced sexual discrimination.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v
If you're sexually harassed, you ought to do something about it.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals.
...couples of all sexual persuasions.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sexual means relating to the biological process by which people and animals produce young.
Girls generally reach sexual maturity two years earlier than boys.
● sexually [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
The first organisms that reproduced sexually were free-floating plankton.sex|ual abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse, someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time.sex|ual har|ass|ment
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sexual harassment is repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, looks, or physical contact at work, usually a man's actions that offend a woman.sex|ual inter|course
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sexual intercourse is the physical act of sex between two people. (FORMAL)sex|ual ori|en|ta|tion (sexual orientations)
[N-VAR] oft poss N
Someone's sexual orientation is whether they are sexually attracted to people of the same sex, people of the opposite sex, or both.sex|ual pref|er|ence (sexual preferences)
[N-VAR] oft poss N
Someone's sexual preference is the same as their sexual orientation.