Heterosexual

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Heterosexual

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective and noun

Pronunciation

het-er-oh-SEK-shoo-ul  /ˌhɛtərə(ʊ)ˈsɛkʃʊəl/

Definition

Experiencing sexual or romantic attraction exclusively or primarily to people of the opposite sex or a different gender; relating to this orientation. As a noun, a person who identifies as heterosexual.

Plain meaning

Heterosexual describes a person whose sexual or romantic attraction is primarily to people of the opposite sex. It is the clinical and formal term for what is colloquially called straight. The word is part of the broader vocabulary of sexual orientation that includes homosexual, bisexual, and asexual.

Register

Neutral and clinical. Heterosexual is the standard formal term in medical, psychological, and academic contexts. Straight is the informal equivalent in everyday speech. The word has no particular stigma and is used in legal, medical, and equality documentation.