Definition

Noun: A person who experiences sexual attraction primarily or exclusively to people of the opposite sex; someone whose sexual orientation is toward persons of the opposite sex.

Usage

This term is a formal or neutral way to describe a person's sexual orientation. It is often used in sociological, psychological, or demographic contexts. In everyday language, the adjective "heterosexual" is more commonly used than the noun phrase "heterosexual person."

Examples

• The survey aimed to understand the dating preferences of both homosexual and heterosexual persons.
• As a heterosexual person, his experiences in the dating world differed from those of his gay friends.
• The support group is open to anyone, regardless of whether they are a heterosexual person or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in legal and policy contexts to specify protections or distinctions based on sexual orientation.
  • The new anti-discrimination law protects heterosexual persons as well as homosexual and bisexual individuals.

Variants and Related Words

• Heterosexual (adj.): Describing the orientation of being attracted to the opposite sex.
  • She is in a heterosexual relationship.
• Straight (adj., informal): A common informal synonym for heterosexual.
  • He identifies as straight.

Synonyms

• Straight person (informal)

Antonyms

• Homosexual person
• Gay person (specifically male)
• Lesbian person (specifically female)

Noun

1. a heterosexual person; someone having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex