bisexual

[ bahy-sek-shoo-uh l ]
/ baɪˈsɛk ʃu əl /

adjective

Biology.
  1. of both sexes.
  2. combining male and female organs in one individual; hermaphroditic.
noting or relating to a person who is romantically or sexually attracted to both men and women, or to people of various gender identities; ambisexual.

noun

Biology. an animal or plant that has the reproductive organs of both sexes.
a person who is romantically or sexually attracted to both men and women, or to people of various gender identities; ambisexual.

Origin of bisexual

First recorded in 1815–25; bi-1 + sexual

usage note for bisexual

Traditionally bisexual has referred to romantic or sexual attraction to two, and no more than two, genders, specifically male and female. However, the term is increasingly being used to refer to a level of sexual fluidity in which an individual moves bidirectionally along a spectrum of sexuality. This newer sense accounts for attraction to people who do not fall within the gender binary.

OTHER WORDS FROM bisexual

bi·sex·u·al·i·ty, bi·sex·u·al·ism, noun bi·sex·u·al·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for bisexual

British Dictionary definitions for bisexual

bisexual
/ (baɪˈsɛksjʊəl) /

adjective

sexually attracted by both men and women
showing characteristics of both sexes a bisexual personality
(of some plants and animals) having both male and female reproductive organs
of or relating to both sexes

noun

a bisexual organism; a hermaphrodite
a bisexual person

Derived forms of bisexual

bisexuality (baɪˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ) or esp US bisexualism, noun bisexually, adverb

Medical definitions for bisexual

bisexual
[ bī-sĕkshōō-əl ]

adj.

Relating to both sexes.
Having both male and female reproductive organs; hermaphroditic.
Relating to or having a sexual orientation to persons of either sex.

n.

A bisexual organism; a hermaphrodite.
A bisexual person.

Other words from bisexual

bi′sex•u•ali•ty (-ălĭ-tē) n.