sexual preference
noun[CorU]
uk/ˌsek.sjʊəl ˈpref.ər.əns/us/ˌsek.sjʊəl ˈpref.ər.əns/old-fashioned
thefactof someone beingsexuallyorromanticallyattractedtopeopleof aparticulargender, or more than onegender:
Thecompanydeniedanydiscriminationongroundsofsexualpreference.
His writingprovidesnoclearindicationof hissexualpreferences.
Synonyms
sexual orientation
sexuality
Note:
- "Sexual preference" was often used in the past to talk about a person's sexual orientation, but some people now consider it offensive because it suggests that you can choose to change who you are attracted to.
thefactof someonepreferringto havesexin aparticularway, orfindingparticularthingssexuallyattractive:
Unusualsexualpreferencesandfantasiesare morecommonthan you mightthink.
- The researchers werelookingat apossibleconnectionbetweenbirthorderandsexualpreference.
- Hersexualpreferencewas anopensecretamong herfriends.
- Heinsistedthat he was nothomophobic, saying "Myfriendsincludepeoplewhosesexualpreferenceis different from my own."
- Thebiologistperformedanexperimenttoseewhethermalebirdshadevolvedlongertailsbecausefemalesshowedasexualpreferencefor long-tailedmales.