het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 
-ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex
heterosexual men/women
a heterosexual couple
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
2
: of or relating to different sexes
plural heterosexuals
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual person
Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
This choice was rare at a time of predominantly heterosexual relationships in gaming that, more often than not, didn’t give players the option to opt in.
—Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
The woke, progressive, intersectional, diversity, equity and inclusion mindset is a path to disaster for our nation, and especially for Jews, Asians and white male heterosexuals who are excluded from their zero-sum game.
—Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual 
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Adjective
Individuals with this style believe that in heterosexual relationships, men should take the lead in making the first move, while women should adopt a more passive role, signaling their receptiveness through more subtle, nonverbal cues such as eye contact.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
This choice was rare at a time of predominantly heterosexual relationships in gaming that, more often than not, didn’t give players the option to opt in.
—Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
—Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
The woke, progressive, intersectional, diversity, equity and inclusion mindset is a path to disaster for our nation, and especially for Jews, Asians and white male heterosexuals who are excluded from their zero-sum game.
—Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual
Dictionary Entries Near heterosexual
Cite this Entry
“Heterosexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl
-ˈsek-shəl
: of, relating to, or marked by sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a heterosexual individual
Medical Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between individuals of the opposite sex
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
sexual relationships between individuals of opposite sexes are heterosexual—A. C. Kinsey
A. C. Kinsey2
: of or relating to different sexes
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual individual
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