demisexuality

D2E1M3I1S1E1X8U1A1L1I1T1Y4
/ˌdɛmiːsɛkʃuˈælitiː/

noun

The state of not experiencing primary sexual attraction (based on sight or smell or other instantly available information), but only secondary sexual attraction (after the development of an emotional bond).

Opposite
fraysexuality
Scrabble 26

Meanings

noundemisexuality (countable and uncountable, plural demisexualities)

plural demisexualities

  1. countableuncountableThe state of not experiencing primary sexual attraction (based on sight or smell or other instantly available information), but only secondary sexual attraction (after the development of an emotional bond).

    Asexuality with the ability to experience romantic attraction should not be confused with demisexuality, which is somewhat similar.

    2011, Holly Combs, "Labeling sexuality is not simple", The Maroon (Loyola University New Orleans), Volume 90, Number 10, 11 November 2011, page 6
    2 more examples

    This workshop aims to be a comprehensive coverage of the basics about sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBT topics with a special focus on asexuality and demisexuality.

    2011, Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference 2011 program, page 30

    Demisexuality further complicates my orientation. Or, at the very least, demisexuality imposes more difficulty in describing my particular brand of queerness.

    2013, Adrienne Smith, “Cultural Fascination”, in Elesia Askenazy, Melanie Yergeau, editors, Relationships & Sexuality, page 96

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
fraysexuality

Origin

Translations

Hindi अर्धलैंगिकता
  • अर्धलैंगिकता (ardhlaiṅgiktā)not experiencing primary sexual attraction
Indonesian demiseksual
  • demiseksualnot experiencing primary sexual attraction
Portuguese demissexualidade
  • demissexualidadenot experiencing primary sexual attraction
Spanish demisexualidad
  • demisexualidadnot experiencing primary sexual attraction
Cite this entry
APA

demisexuality. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demisexuality

MLA

“demisexuality.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demisexuality. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “demisexuality,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demisexuality.

Source: demisexuality on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.