Word
heterosexual
Phoneticshet·ero·sex·u·al
US/ˌhɛtɝoʊˈsɛkʃəwəɫ/
UK/hˌɛtɹəʊsˈɛkʃuːəl/
Definitions
01attraction to the opposite sex
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. attracted to people of the opposite sex.
adj. sexually or romantically attracted to individuals of the opposite sex or gender.
Español:heterosexual
“He identified as heterosexual and had only ever dated women.”
“The study examined the social experiences of heterosexual men in predominantly female-dominated professional environments.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02relating to different sexes
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. involving a man and a woman.
adj. pertaining to or involving individuals of different sexes.
“They were a heterosexual couple who had been married for ten years.”
“The legislation was originally designed to provide benefits exclusively to heterosexual married couples before the law was amended.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who is attracted to the opposite sex.
n. a person who is sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex.
“The survey asked if the participant was a heterosexual, a homosexual, or bisexual.”
“Sociologists often compare the domestic habits of heterosexuals with those of same-sex couples to identify broader cultural trends.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'identify as', or attributively before nouns like 'couple' or 'relationship'.
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images I ask if she sees right now as a particularly fractious moment for heterosexual dating, and she looks at me quizzically.” “Second, the studies tended to target majority-white participants who were cisgender heterosexual women, with limited focus on LGBTIQA+ communities, international students or staff, and students of color.” Etymology
From hetero- + -sexual. Earliest citation from 1892, in C.G. Craddock's translation of Krafft-Ebbing's Psychopathia Sexualis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/heterosexual
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0