sexual orientation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Professional
Quick answer
What does “sexual orientation” mean?
A person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender or genders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender or genders.
The classification of individuals based on the gender(s) to which they are sexually and/or romantically attracted; the way one describes their sexual or affectional preference.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. In UK equality legislation, 'sexual orientation' is a protected characteristic; same applies in US federal and state law. Spelling of related words follows regional norms (e.g., 'categorise' vs. 'categorize').
Connotations
Equally formal and clinical in both varieties. The term carries the same legal and social weight.
Frequency
High frequency in legal, academic, media, and policy contexts in both regions. Slightly more common in recent UK legislative discourse (e.g., Equality Act 2010).
Grammar
How to Use “sexual orientation” in a Sentence
[Verb + sexual orientation]: to define, to disclose, to discuss, to protect, to discriminate against[Preposition + sexual orientation]: discrimination on the grounds of ~based on ~regardless of ~[Adjective + sexual orientation]: one's own ~, a person's ~, protected ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sexual orientation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The law protects individuals from being discriminated against on grounds of sexual orientation.
- The form asks you not to disclose your sexual orientation.
American English
- Federal policy prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- The survey included a question about sexual orientation.
adjective
British English
- The sexual-orientation protections in the Equality Act are comprehensive.
- We attended a sexual orientation awareness workshop.
American English
- Sexual-orientation discrimination is illegal in many states.
- The report analyzed sexual-orientation data from the census.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR policies, diversity & inclusion training, and non-discrimination clauses.
Academic
Core term in psychology, sociology, gender studies, and law. Used in research on identity, prejudice, and social dynamics.
Everyday
Used in personal conversations about identity and in discussions about rights and equality. Can be formal for casual chat.
Technical
Used in legal statutes, psychological diagnostics (e.g., ICD, DSM), and sociological surveys as a key demographic variable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sexual orientation”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sexual orientation”
- Using 'sexual preference' interchangeably (considered offensive by many as it implies choice).
- Pluralising as 'sexual orientations' when referring to multiple types (correct) vs. multiple people's orientations (also correct). Context is key.
- Misspelling as 'sexual oreintation' or 'sexual orientetion'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'sexual orientation minority') instead of the preferred 'sexual minority' or 'LGBTQ+'.
- Capitalising unnecessarily (not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sexual orientation refers to who you are attracted to (e.g., homosexual, heterosexual). Gender identity refers to your internal sense of your own gender (e.g., man, woman, non-binary). They are distinct but related concepts.
Yes, when referring to the different categories or types (e.g., 'The workshop covered a range of sexual orientations'). It is also used as a non-count noun when referring to the concept in general (e.g., 'discrimination based on sexual orientation').
Because the word 'preference' suggests a voluntary choice, like preferring tea over coffee. 'Sexual orientation' is understood by major medical and psychological associations as a deep-seated, enduring aspect of a person's identity, not a simple choice. Using 'preference' can be used to undermine LGBTQ+ rights claims.
Yes, but it is a formal, clinical term. In casual conversation, people might simply say 'who they're attracted to' or reference specific identities like 'gay', 'straight', etc. In formal, legal, or respectful discussions, 'sexual orientation' is the standard term.
A person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender or genders.
Sexual orientation is usually formal, academic, professional in register.
Sexual orientation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekʃuəl ɔːriənˈteɪʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekʃuəl ˌɔːriənˈteɪʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ORIENTATION' like a compass pointing towards who you are ATTRACTED to. SEXUAL specifies the type of attraction.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIENTATION IS A DIRECTION (e.g., 'oriented towards men/women/both'). IDENTITY IS A SPECTRUM (e.g., 'a spectrum of sexual orientations').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is increasingly considered problematic when used synonymously with 'sexual orientation'?