Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of being sexually attracted to both men and women: "Bisexuality" refers to the sexual orientation characterized by romantic or sexual attraction to people of more than one gender, often specifically to both men and women.
   • The quality of having both male and female characteristics: In biology and psychology, "bisexuality" can describe the condition of possessing physical or psychological traits of both sexes.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Sexual Orientation):

  • She openly discussed her bisexuality with her friends.
  • The study explored the social challenges related to bisexuality.

• Noun (Biological/Psychological Traits):

  • In some plant species, bisexuality refers to the presence of both male and female reproductive organs in the same individual.
  • Early psychological theories sometimes used the term bisexuality to describe a blending of masculine and feminine traits.

Advanced Usage

• "Latent bisexuality": A psychoanalytic concept suggesting that all individuals have an inherent capacity for attraction to both sexes, which may not be consciously expressed.
  • The theory of latent bisexuality was proposed by some early psychoanalysts.

Variants and Related Words

• Bisexual (adj/n): Having the characteristics of bisexuality. As a noun, a person who is bisexual.

  • He identifies as bisexual.
  • The panel included a bisexual and a lesbian activist.

• Bisexually (adv): In a bisexual manner.

  • The flower reproduces bisexually.

Synonyms

• Pansexuality: Sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity. (Note: This is a related but distinct term.)
• Ambisexuality: A less common synonym for bisexuality.
• Hermaphroditism: In biology, the condition of having both male and female reproductive organs. (This is a technical term primarily for organisms, not for human sexual orientation.)

Related Phrases

• "To come out as bisexual": To disclose one's bisexual orientation.
  • She decided to come out as bisexual to her family.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. sexual activity with both men and women
2. showing characteristics of both sexes