What does omnisexuality mean?
Omnisexuality names a sexual or romantic orientation involving attraction to people of any gender rather than to one gender alone. A person described as omnisexual may be attracted across multiple gender identities, but the word does not require attraction to every gender or orientation, nor does it imply any particular sexual behavior. It is sometimes treated as a close synonym for pansexuality, although individual speakers may understand the terms differently. The label can be useful for people whose attraction is not adequately described by more familiar gender-specific categories. Omnisexual is also the adjective corresponding to the noun, and omnisexually is the corresponding adverb. In public discussion, the term is generally associated with contemporary LGBTQ+ and identity language. It is less common than pansexual and bisexual and should not be used to assign an identity to someone without that person’s own self-description.
nounThe state of being romantically or sexually attracted to people of any gender, or of having a sexual or romantic orientation that is not limited to one gender.
- The state of being romantically or sexually attracted to people of any gender.
- A sexual or romantic orientation characterized by attraction beyond a single-gender category.
"She described herself as omnisexual, attracted to people across the full range of genders and sexual orientations."
"Omnisexuality is only one of many ways that human attraction can be understood."
"The interview explored her omnisexual identity and her experience with labels within the LGBTQ+ community."
The plural is grammatically possible but rare in ordinary use.
"The study compared different omnisexualities and the ways people describe them."
Omnisexuality takes the Latin omnis, meaning “all,” and applies it to attraction, presenting a deliberately inclusive label for love without a gender boundary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does omnisexuality come from?
Omnisexuality is a modern English formation combining omni-, from Latin omnis (“all”), with sexual. The sexual element comes through English sexual, which was borrowed from Latin sexualis, a derivative of sex (“sex, kind”). The compound principle has affinities with other English formations using omni- to mean “all,” including omnivore, although omnisexuality is specifically associated with modern discussions of sexual and romantic orientation.
Related word forms
How omnisexuality is actually used
A relatively uncommon term that is sometimes used loosely as a synonym for pansexual. Its precise interpretation can vary according to the speaker and context, and some people may find it less familiar or more inclusive than other labels.