noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:B AY2 S EH0 K SH UW0 AE1 L AH0 T IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The state of being sexually attracted to members of either sex; experiencing both heterosexual and homosexual attraction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The state of being bisexual (“having both male and female parts or roles”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
sexual activity with both men and women
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sexual activity, sexual practice, sex, sex activity
4
noun
Meaning 4
showing characteristics of both sexes
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: androgyny, hermaphroditism
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sex, gender, sexuality
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English bisexual Proto-Indo-European *-teh2 Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh2ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English bisexuality From bisexual + -ity.
Across languages
Translations
59 source translations are retained for this English entry.