bisexual: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-HighFormal, Academic, Informal (self-identification). The biological sense is highly formal/technical.
Quick answer
What does “bisexual” mean?
An adjective describing the capacity for attraction to more than one gender, typically to both men and women. Also used as a noun for a person with this orientation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An adjective describing the capacity for attraction to more than one gender, typically to both men and women. Also used as a noun for a person with this orientation.
In biology, describing an organism, especially a flower, that possesses both male and female reproductive organs; hermaphroditic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Both share the same primary social and identity-related connotations. In academic biology, the term is used identically.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties in modern discourse on sexuality and identity.
Grammar
How to Use “bisexual” in a Sentence
to be bisexualto identify as (a) bisexualto come out as bisexualVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bisexual” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The term is not used as a verb.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The term is not used as a standard adverb.
American English
- The term is not used as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- She is bisexual and proud of it.
- The campaign aims to improve bisexual visibility in the media.
- The lily is a bisexual flower.
American English
- He came out as bisexual in college.
- The report highlights bisexual erasure in healthcare.
- The biologist studied the bisexual reproduction of the species.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in diversity and inclusion (D&I) contexts, e.g., 'support for bisexual employees'.
Academic
Common in sociology, psychology, gender studies, and queer theory. Also standard in biological sciences for describing organisms.
Everyday
Common in personal identity discussions and media representation.
Technical
In biology: 'The plant is bisexual, containing both stamens and pistils.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bisexual”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bisexual”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bisexual”
- Using 'bisexual' to describe an intersex person (incorrect). Confusing it with 'pansexual' (attraction regardless of gender).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While historically defined as attraction to both men and women, many contemporary definitions understand it as attraction to more than one gender, not exclusively a gender binary.
Yes. Using the biological/hermaphroditic meaning to describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity is incorrect and potentially offensive. The correct term for people is related to sexual orientation, not reproductive anatomy.
'Bisexual' typically means attraction to more than one gender. 'Pansexual' explicitly emphasizes attraction to people regardless of gender or gender identity. The terms can overlap significantly in personal use.
Yes (e.g., 'He is a bisexual'), but many style guides and community preferences recommend using it as an adjective ('He is bisexual' or 'a bisexual person') to avoid reducing a person to just their orientation.
An adjective describing the capacity for attraction to more than one gender, typically to both men and women. Also used as a noun for a person with this orientation.
Bisexual is usually formal, academic, informal (self-identification). the biological sense is highly formal/technical. in register.
Bisexual: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈsek.sju.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈsek.ʃu.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'BI-' meaning 'two' (like a bicycle has two wheels) + 'sexual' – relating to two genders. Remember the flag has pink, purple, and blue stripes.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPECTRUM/FLUIDITY (part of a broader sexual orientation spectrum, not a rigid binary point).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'bisexual' be considered technical and non-personal?