1. Definition & Meaning
- Heterosexual (adjective & noun)
- Pronunciation: /ˌhɛtərəˈsɛkʃuəl/
- Meaning: Describes a person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
2. Grammatical Formation
- Adjective:a heterosexual couple
- Noun:She identifies as a heterosexual.
3. Word Comparisons
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| heterosexual | Opposite‑sex attraction |
| homosexual | Same‑sex attraction |
| bisexual | Attraction to both same and opposite sexes |
| gay | Informal for a homosexual person (often male‑identified) |
| lesbian | A homosexual woman |
4. Changes with Prepositions
- heterosexual in
He’s heterosexual in orientation. - heterosexual with
(rare) She feels heterosexual with her partner. - heterosexual to/for
Unidiomatic; “heterosexual” typically stands alone.
Note: “Heterosexual” most commonly appears as an adjective or noun without added prepositions.
5. Common Collocations & Idiomatic Usage
- Collocations:
- heterosexual orientation
- heterosexual relationship
- heterosexual marriage
- heterosexual community
- Idioms/Expressions:
- straight arrow: (informal) someone very conventional, also a play on “straight” = heterosexual
- cishet: shorthand for cisgender heterosexual
6. Real‑Life Examples
- Adjective:
- They are a heterosexual couple preparing for their wedding.
- Noun:
- After self‑reflection, he realized he is a heterosexual.
- Idiomatic:
- She’s a straight arrow—always follows social norms.
7. Synonyms & Antonyms
- Synonyms: straight, opposite‑sex, cishet
- Antonyms: homosexual, gay, lesbian, queer
8. Related Terms
- sexual orientation
- LGBTQIA+
- cisgender
- bisexual
- pansexual
- asexual
9. Connection to Sexuality
Yes—“heterosexual” directly describes a sexual orientation, indicating attraction to individuals of the opposite sex. It is one of the primary categories in discussions of human sexuality and identity.
sexopedia.co/ is an educational glossary of sexual and gender‑related terms—helping you improve your English while deepening your understanding of identity, language, and self‑expression.