asexual: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, academic, technical, and identity/community contexts
Quick answer
What does “asexual” mean?
A person who does not experience sexual attraction to others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who does not experience sexual attraction to others; lacking sexual orientation or interest in sexual activity.
In biology, describing reproduction not involving the fusion of gametes (e.g., budding, fission); more broadly, lacking sex appeal, sexual characteristics, or erotic quality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. The term is used identically in LGBTQ+/identity and biological contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, human identity usage carries strong sociocultural connotations related to the asexual community and spectrum (e.g., demisexual, gray-asexual). Biological usage is purely technical.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic/biological texts. In everyday discourse, frequency has risen similarly in both regions with increased awareness of LGBTQ+ identities.
Grammar
How to Use “asexual” in a Sentence
identify as [asexual]describe [someone/something] as [asexual][organism] reproduces [asexually][asexual] in natureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asexual” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This organism can **asexually** reproduce by fission.
- The culture was **asexually** propagated in the lab.
American English
- The starfish can **asexually** regenerate from a single arm.
- Many plants are **asexually** reproduced through cuttings.
adverb
British English
- The hydra reproduces **asexually** most of the time.
- She described herself **asexually**, focusing on her lack of attraction.
American English
- The bacterium multiplied **asexually** every twenty minutes.
- The character was written somewhat **asexually**, with no romantic subplot.
adjective
British English
- She realised she was **asexual** during her university years.
- **Asexual** reproduction is common in many simple life forms.
American English
- He identifies as an **asexual** person.
- The **asexual** spores spread rapidly through the soil.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except potentially in diversity & inclusion contexts.
Academic
Common in biology (reproduction) and social sciences/psychology (human sexuality studies).
Everyday
Increasingly common in discussions of identity, relationships, and LGBTQ+ topics.
Technical
Standard term in biology for a type of reproduction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “asexual”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “asexual”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asexual”
- Confusing 'asexual' (orientation) with 'aromantic' (lack of romantic attraction).
- Using it interchangeably with 'celibate'.
- Assuming it means a person has no relationships or emotional connections.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Celibacy is a choice to abstain from sexual activity. Asexuality is an intrinsic orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction.
Yes. Asexuality relates specifically to sexual attraction. Many asexual people experience romantic attraction and form deep romantic, platonic, or queerplatonic relationships.
It is an umbrella term that includes identities like demisexual (sexual attraction only after a strong emotional bond) and gray-asexual (experiencing sexual attraction rarely or under specific conditions).
While common in bacteria, plants, fungi, and some invertebrates, it is rare in complex vertebrates. Some reptiles and fish, however, can reproduce via parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction.
Asexual is usually formal, academic, technical, and identity/community contexts in register.
Asexual: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪˈsek.ʃu.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪˈsek.ʃu.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; 'on the ace spectrum' is a related community phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A-' (meaning 'without' or 'not') + 'sexual' = without sexual attraction or without sex (in reproduction).
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a SPECTRUM (the asexual spectrum) or an ORIENTATION (like a compass point lacking a pull towards sexual attraction).
Practice
Quiz
In the context of human identity, what is the key distinction of being asexual?