demisexual meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

demisexual

adj

UK /ˌdɛ.miːˈsɛk.ʃuː.əl/ · US /ˌdɛ.miˈsɛk.ʃu.əl/

Etymology From demi- (“half”) + -sexual.

Of humans Sexually attracted to people only after a strong emotional bond has been formed.

Some people may identify as asexual for a period and then decide that they are in fact demisexual, or even sexual.2010 April, Sophie Gamwell, “Asexuality”, in BoLT, number 1, page 14:
Some think of themselves as demisexual, only able to feel attraction when a very strong emotional bond already exists.2013 February 14, Tracey Hickey, “Asexuality should be recognized as a legitimate sexual orientation”, in The Pitt News, University of Pittsburgh:

1 more example

In asexual / ace communities in the past few years, there has been an enormous increase in prominence of people identifying as gray-A and as demisexual, with ‘ace’ now sometimes being used as an umbrella term.2013, C. J. Bishop, "A mystery wrapped in an enigma – asexuality: a virtual discussion", Psychology & Sexuality, Volume 4, Issue 2, March 2013, page 205 (quoting A. C. Hinderliter)

noun

Etymology From demi- (“half”) + -sexual.

A person who is demisexual.

Demisexuals experience sexual attraction as a consequence of romantic attraction but not independently of it.2011 August, Mark Carrigan, “There’s more to life than sex? Difference and commonality within the asexual community”, in Sexualities, volume 14, number 4, page 470:
Demisexuals experience sexual desire only toward people with whom they already have a strong emotional bond. Like an asexual, a demisexual would not see an attractive woman and immediately desire sex, unless, of course, that attractive woman happened to be in a serious emotional relationship with the demisexual.2011, Holly Combs, "Labeling sexuality is not simple", The Maroon (Loyola University New Orleans), Volume 90, Number 10, 11 November 2011, page 6

1 more example

Rines identified himself as a demisexual, meaning that he is only sexually attracted to a person once a strong emotional attachment has been formed.2013, Whitney Cyr, "Students ‘come out’ and inspire with stories", The Equinox (Keene State College), 24 April 2013

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.