/ ˈsekʃuəl; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] connected with the physical activity of sex :
sexual behaviour
They were not having a sexual relationship at the time.
Her interest in him is purely sexual.
sexual orientation (= whether you are heterosexual or homosexual )
2.
[ only before noun ] connected with the process of producing young :
the sexual organs (= the penis , vagina , etc.)
sexual reproduction
3.
[ usually before noun ] connected with the state of being male or female :
sexual characteristics
► sex·ual·ly / ˈsekʃəli; NAmE / adverb :
sexually abused children
She finds him sexually attractive.
sexually explicit
Girls become sexually mature earlier than boys.
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from late Latin sexualis , from Latin sexus sex.