heterosexual

UK: /ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɛkʃuəl/

US: /ˌhɛtərəˈsɛkʃuəl/

US: (het′ər ə sek′sho̅o̅ əl or, esp. Brit., -seks′yo̅o̅-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

het•er•o•sex•u•al /ˌhɛtərəˈsɛkʃuəl/   adj. 

1. Medicine of, relating to, or showing behavior that indicates attraction to the opposite sex.
2. Medicine of or relating to the opposite sex or to both sexes:
   a heterosexual relationship.

n. [countable]

3. Medicine a person attracted to the opposite sex.

het•er•o•sex•u•al•i•ty /ˌhɛtərəˌsɛkʃuˈælɪti/  n. [uncountable] See -hetero-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

het•er•o•sex•u•al  (het′ər ə sek′sho̅o̅ əl or, esp. Brit., -seks′yo̅o̅-), adj. 

1. Medicine of, pertaining to, or exhibiting heterosexuality.
2. Medicine [Biol.] pertaining to the opposite sex or to both sexes.

n. 

3. Medicine a heterosexual person.

• hetero- + sexual 1890–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

heterosexual / ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɛksjʊəl/ noun

1. a person who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to members of the opposite sex

adjective

1. of or relating to heterosexuality

Compare homosexual