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heterosexual

/ˌˈhɛdərəˌsɛkʃ(əw)əl/

/hɛtrəʊˈsɛkʃuəl/

Other forms: heterosexuals; heterosexually

A heterosexual person is attracted to people of the opposite sex. Boys who like girls and women who like men are heterosexual.

Being heterosexual has long been considered "normal" in our society. When you think of a married couple or parents, it's usually been a man and woman — in other words, a heterosexual couple. However, being heterosexual is only one sexual orientation. Other people are gay, or homosexual. Our culture is slowly starting to accept that heterosexuality isn't the only acceptable sexual orientation. Another word for heterosexual is straight.

Definitions of heterosexual
  1. noun
    a heterosexual person; someone having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex
  2. adjective
    sexually attracted exclusively to members of the opposite sex
    Synonyms:
    straight
    sexually attracted exclusively to members of the opposite sex
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    homosexual, queer
    sexually attracted to members of your own sex
    bisexual
    sexually attracted to more than one gender
    gay
    homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
    lesbian, sapphic
    of or relating to or characterized by homosexual relations between woman
    show more antonyms...
Pronunciation
US

/ˌˈhɛdərəˌsɛkʃ(əw)əl/

UK

/hɛtrəʊˈsɛkʃuəl/

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