What Are the Different Types of Sexualities: 44 Terms Explained

Sexuality is a multifaceted aspect of human identity that includes biological, psychological, and social aspects and is at the forefront of modern discourse.

Simply put, sexuality is a natural part of who we are. While science understands a lot about it, society’s views are still catching up as it is an ever evolving subject of much debate. There is still so much that is not fully understood.

While for many, their sexuality can be a simple and straightforward thing, there are those who wind up exploring the more complex aspects of sexual attraction and romance.

In this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into the subject of sexuality. First, we’ll explore what sexuality is and what defines it, then we’ll examine the many, many different types.

By the end, you’ll have a greater understanding of sexuality as a concept – and perhaps of yourself, too.

What Is the Definition of Sexuality?

There are a number of different definitions of sexuality.

Merriam Webster defines it as “expression of sexual receptivity or interest” and “a person’s sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. (also called “sexual orientation”)”. [1]

Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “someone’s ability to experience or show sexual feelings” and “the fact of someone being sexually or romantically attracted to people of a particular gender, or more than one gender”[2].

It can also be defined as “your sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people”[3] and “who a person is or is not attracted to either sexually or romantically”[4].

All of these sexuality terms and definitions encapsulate the complex subject of sexuality and give us a better framework to begin contextualizing the many types of sexualities, which we’ll explore below.

44 Types of Sexualities and What They Mean

Heterosexual

Heterosexuality is attraction to a gender that is different from your own. Typically, it’s categorized as “straight”, with men being attracted to women and women being attracted to men.

Homosexual

Homosexuality is attraction to the same gender. It’s an umbrella term that includes both “gay” and “lesbian” (see below). Homosexual is still sometimes used in research however.

(Note: According to some experts [5], this term is considered outdated. It has also been known to have negative connotations due to its use in the past.)

Gay

“Gay” is a term typically used to describe men who are attracted to other men (the same gender). However, it can be used to describe anyone who is attracted to the same gender. It’s considered a suitable replacement for the term “homosexual”.

Lesbian

“Lesbian” is a term typically used to describe women who are attracted to other women. However, it can also be used by non-binary people, just as “gay” can be.

Bisexual

Bisexuality is typically described as an attraction to more than one gender. For many, bisexuality is used only to describe attraction to both males and females. However, it can also be used to describe attraction to multiple gender identities (for example, transgender, agender, genderqueer, androgynous, etc.).

Pansexual

Pansexuality is typically described as an attraction to anyone, irrespective of gender. This includes attraction to people who are agender, genderqueer, or gender-fluid.

This does not mean that pansexuals are attracted to everyone, simply that they are not limited by a certain gender. They can be attracted to anyone without gender playing a significant role in interest.

Omnisexual

“Omnisexual” is a term often used interchangeably with “pansexual”, though there are slight differences between the two.

While pansexuality defines attraction to anyone regardless of gender, omnisexual describes attraction to all genders, though with the possibility of gender preferences.

Polysexual

Polysexuality is typically described as attraction to more than one gender. There may be attraction to many genders, but unlike omnisexuality, not all genders are included.

Monosexual

Monosexuality is an umbrella, community-based term used to encapsulate all the sexualities that feel attraction only to one gender, be they different genders (heterosexual) or the same genders (homosexual/gay/lesbian). Simply put, you are attracted to only one gender.

Multisexual

Multisexuality is an umbrella term used to describe attraction to multiple genders. Omnisexual, pansexual, bisexual, and polysexual all fall under this term.

Fluid

Fluid is used to describe sexual or romantic preferences that have the potential to change over time or with varying circumstances. Modern experts believe that sexuality can be fluid and constantly changing, with no need for orientation to be fixed.

People with fluid sexuality may not define themselves by any one sexuality, or may fall under multiple types of sexuality over the course of their lifetime.

Heteroflexible

Heteroflexible is typically described as primarily heterosexual, but with an occasional attraction to someone of the same gender. There is minimal homosexual (same-gender) activity in an otherwise heterosexual romantic life.

Heteroflexible people may choose to be “incidentally homosexual” (in particular circumstances or for a specific period of time) or engage in same-gender sexual activities infrequently throughout their lives.

Homoflexible

Homoflexible is typically described as primarily homosexual (either gay or lesbian), but with an occasional attraction to someone of a different gender.

There is minimal heterosexual activity in an otherwise homosexual romantic life, with some incidental or infrequent exploration of different-gender sexual experiences.

Bicurious

Bicurious describes individuals exploring potential attraction to more than one gender, often without having defined their sexual orientation. They may demonstrate curiosity toward same-sex experiences, or experiences with someone of a different gender (any listed above)..

This term may also be used to describe someone who is uncertain how they identify sexually.

Questioning

Questioning refers to the process of exploring or reconsidering one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. Someone who is questioning may also be actively exploring their sexual and romantic leanings as well as their gender identity.

Queer

Queer is a term typically used to describe people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities who are not straight and do not fit into traditional gender roles. It is largely used as an umbrella description for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

However, due to its negative connotation and use as a slur in the past, it may not be suitable for people outside the community to use.

Abrosexual

Abrosexuality is typically defined as sexual orientation that changes or shifts over time. It’s a form of sexual fluidity wherein people can move between various sexual preferences, which may happen suddenly or gradually.

Abroflexible

Abroflexibility is an emergent term, defined as a fluidity between abrosexuality and other sexual orientations. For example, someone who is bisexual may find themselves becoming pansexual or omnisexual, then in time shifting into heterosexuality or homosexuality.

The ability to move between multiple sexual orientations allows people to fully explore their sexual and romantic attraction.

Asexual

Asexuality is typically defined as having little to no sexual attraction. People who are asexual don’t necessarily abstain from or avoid sex.

There is an entire spectrum of asexuality, including:

• Sex-averse;
• Sex-favorable;
• Sex-repulsed;
• Sex-indifferent, and more.

The defining trait of asexuality (and all its sub-types, some of which we’ll explore below) is that there is either no romantic or sexual attraction, or very little.

Graysexual

Graysexuality is a form of asexuality in which there is very infrequent or very weak sexual attraction. The feelings of attraction experienced may lack intensity or only come occasionally.

Demisexual

Demisexuality is typically defined as attraction that can only develop after a strong intellectual, emotional, or romantic bond is formed with a person.

Demisexuality may be accompanied by little to no interest in sexual activity, or a demisexual may have normal sexual desires that can only be met after forming the bond with their romantic partner.

Aceflux

Aceflux is a term used to describe a form of asexuality in which the intensity of sexual attraction tends to fluctuate over time and with changing circumstances.

While aceflux shares some similarities with abrosexual, it is more likely to be consistent in feeling attraction to the same gender. The only thing that changes is the intensity of the attraction or sexual feelings.

Fraysexual

Fraysexual is a term used to describe a strong attraction toward strangers, which lessens (or “frays”) the more one gets to know their romantic or sexual interest. Also called “ignotasexuality”, it’s the opposite of demisexuality, and is considered to fall on the asexuality spectrum.

Reciprosexual

Reciprosexual is typically defined as someone who forms attractions only after sensing or learning that someone else is attracted to them. Typically, a reciprosexual will not experience sexual attraction to someone at all until they learn of the other person’s attraction. It falls under the asexuality spectrum.

Lithsexual

Lithosexual is typically defined as someone who feels attraction toward someone else, but doesn’t want it reciprocated. Also called “akoisexual”, it falls under the asexuality spectrum.

Cupiosexual

Cupiosexuality is another type of asexuality. It’s typically defined as not experiencing sexual attraction, but still experiencing a desire to have sexual contact or develop sexual and romantic relationships.

Autochorissexual

Autochorissexual typically describes individuals who may enjoy sexual feelings and attraction, and also a feeling of detachment from the source of their arousal. Typically, an autochorissexual (also called an aegosexual) will be able to enjoy sexual content but will feel no connection to it.

Apothisexual

Apothisexual is a self-identifying term for individuals repulsed by or averse to sexual activity. Both “sex-averse” and “sex-repulsed” fall under this umbrella term on the asexuality spectrum.

Apothisexuals may be repulsed by all sexual activity, or may be simply repulsed by any sexual activity that involves them.

Caedsexual

Caedsexual is a self-identifying term used by individuals once having a sexual attraction, but no longer do, oftentimes attributing that change due to trauma or other life experiences.

Someone who is caedsexual may have once been heterosexual, homosexual, omnisexual, or pansexual, but mitigating factors (most frequently, trauma) have impacted their sexual feelings. This falls under the asexuality spectrum.

Quoisexual

Quoisexual (also known as WTFsexual) is typically a self-identifying term for individuals who have an inability or difficulty distinguishing or defining sexual attraction.

To a quoisexual, the concept or experience of sexual attraction and/or activity don’t make sense, or may feel inaccessible or inapplicable. They may be unable to identify sexual attraction or distinguish it from other feelings. In some cases, it’s simply that they don’t experience sexuality in a traditional manner.

Pomosexual

Pomosexual is typically used as intentionally rejecting the traditional labels of sexuality—which include all the types listed above, everything on the gay, heterosexual, and asexual spectrums. They may be questioning or queer, or simply may choose to challenge categorization in favor of exploring what feels right.

Allosexual

Allosexual is typically defined as anyone who experiences sexual attraction. Anyone who doesn’t fall under the umbrella of asexuality can be classified as allosexual.

Androsexual

Androsexual is typically defined as an attraction to maleness, to men and masculinity. It is used to describe both sexual and romantic attraction. It can be used to describe someone who is either gay or straight.

Gynesexual

Gynesexual (or Gynosexual) is typically defined as an attraction to womanhood, to women and femininity. It’s used for both sexual and romantic attraction and can describe someone who is either lesbian or straight.

Scoliosexual

Scoliosexual (also called Skoliosexual) is a community-defined term for an attraction to gender-diverse presentations or non-binary people.

Scoliosexuals may be also attracted to cisgender peoples, or may be attracted only to non-binary and gender-diverse people. It’s similar in nature to pansexuality, but with a focus on attraction to those outside the male/female binary.

Sapiosexual

Sapiosexual is typically defined as an attraction primarily to intelligence, with physicality playing only an insignificant role or no role at all in attraction. Sapiosexuals find intelligence arousing and will typically only be attracted to highly intelligent people.

Objectumsexual

Objectumsexual is typically defined as an attraction to inanimate objects. Also called “object sexuality”, it’s a type of objectophilia in which a person forms strong romantic or sexual feelings toward items or structures.

It’s often accompanied by a strong belief in animism (the belief objects have feelings, intelligence, souls, and even the ability to communicate).

Hypersexual

Hypersexual is typically defined as a persistently high sex drive, as well as a fixation on sex, sexual acts, sexual fantasies, and sexual attraction. It’s sometimes used as an orientation label. However, it may also be a compulsive behavior condition [6].

Placiosexual

Placiosexual is typically defined as someone who derives sexual enjoyment or pleasure from giving or performing sexual acts, but not receiving. It falls on the asexuality spectrum.

Those who are placiosexual may be sex-averse or sex-repulsed, and will prefer to give without receiving.

Idemsexual

Idemsexual is typically defined as someone who categorizes their sexual feelings and relationships as platonic, but do not internally distinguish between the platonic and sexual.

Novosexual

Novosexual is typically a self-identifying term for individuals whose sexuality fluctuates or is fluid alongside their gender identity.

Novosexuals may frequently or regularly change between genders, as their sexual orientation changes at the same time. There are similarities between novosexuality and gender-fluidity and abrosexuality, except that in this case, sexuality only changes when gender identity does.

Aromantic

Aromantic is typically defined as experiencing little to no romantic attraction. Though it’s focused on a romantic orientation, it’s often included in the list of sexualities because romance and sexual attraction are so tightly entwined.

Autoromantic

Autoromantic is typically defined as experiencing strong romantic attraction toward oneself. An autoromantic may struggle to respond to romantic actions or sexual activities with others, but are more than comfortable carrying out those activities on their own.

It’s also described as “feeling romantic attraction to yourself rather than others.”[7].

Autosexual

Autosexual is typically referred to as experiencing strong feelings of sexual attraction or desire primarily toward oneself. An autosexual may fantasize about themselves or seek arousal and stimulation through masturbation or sexual dreams than sexual behavior with or sexual thoughts about others.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are so many different types of sexuality to be understood—and, for those who so choose, to explore.

Understanding more about the various types of sexuality can help you better relate to those around you, as well as your own thoughts, feelings, and desires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distinction between bisexuality and pansexuality?

Bisexuality is the capacity for attraction to more than one gender. Pansexuality is attraction to anyone of any gender. Gender doesn’t play a significant role in pansexual attraction, while it does in bisexuality (and omnisexuality).

How does asexuality differ from aromanticism in practice?

Asexuality focuses on sexual attraction and activity, while aromanticism focuses on romantic feelings. Romantic attraction stems from a desire to form strong romance-based bonds with someone else, while sexual attraction stems from a desire to have sex with someone else.

What is the significance of queer as a sexual identity?

The idea behind “queer” as a sexual identity is that it creates a safe space in which people can non-judgementally explore their sexual desires and attractions without the need to belong to any single category. It places no limits or restrictions on sexuality and promotes greater inclusiveness.

Resources

What are the different types of sexualities?

A Guide to 25 Different Types of Sexualities

Navigating the Spectrum: Understanding Types of Sexualities