sexual

B2 · Upper Intermediate Science

adj. relating to the way animals and plants produce young by combining male and female cells.

adj. pertaining to the mode of reproduction involving the fusion of female and male gametes.

“Most mammals use sexual reproduction to have babies.”

“Sexual reproduction provides a significant evolutionary advantage by increasing genetic diversity within a population over successive generations.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. relating to a person's feelings of attraction toward others.

adj. relating to an individual's sexuality, orientation, or identity as a social and psychological construct.

“The law protects people from being treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation.”

“The seminar focused on the history of sexual identity and how societal norms have shifted regarding gender roles since the mid-twentieth century.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical · Academic

n. a person who feels physical attraction to others, often used to contrast with people who do not.

n. an individual who experiences sexual attraction; frequently employed in sociological or psychological contexts to distinguish from asexual individuals.

“The researcher compared the dating habits of sexuals and asexuals.”

“In this specific psychological framework, the term 'sexual' is used as a noun to categorise participants who report consistent levels of interpersonal attraction.”