What does pansexual mean?
Pansexual is an adjective describing someone whose romantic or sexual attraction is not limited to one gender. It can refer both to an individual's identity and to attraction in general, as in “a pansexual relationship.” The term is not intended to mean that every pansexual person is attracted equally to every gender, nor does it imply that a person has no preference. Instead, it emphasizes that gender is not the limiting factor in attraction. Pansexual identity can coexist with other aspects of a person's identity, including being straight, queer, transgender, or gender-fluid. In contemporary usage, the term is especially associated with discussions of sexuality, identity, relationships, and pride. It is generally understood in British and American English, although individual people's interpretations of it may differ.
adjectiveRelating to or describing romantic or sexual attraction to people regardless of their gender. A pansexual person may be attracted to people of any gender.
- Having romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender.
- Characterized by attraction that is not limited by gender.
"She has identified as pansexual since she was a teenager."
"Their pansexual relationship began with a shared interest in live music."
"The article examines how pansexual identity can overlap with other parts of a person's identity."
Pansexual puts the focus on attraction rather than the categories a person happens to be attracted to.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pansexual come from?
Pansexual combines the prefix pan-, meaning “all,” with sexual, producing a word describing attraction that extends beyond distinctions of gender. The prefix comes through Latin and Greek roots meaning “all” or “entire,” while sexual derives from Latin sexualis, relating to sex or the sexes. The modern adjective developed in the late 20th century in discussions of sexual orientation and gender, alongside related terms such as pansexualism and pansexuality.
Related word forms
How pansexual is actually used
Widely used in modern English, especially in personal identity and social contexts. Its precise meaning can vary slightly between people: some use it to mean attraction to every gender, while others emphasize that gender does not determine whom they are attracted to. It is distinct from being gender-agnostic, which can describe a broader approach to gender rather than sexual attraction.
Easily confused with pansexual
Bisexual usually refers to attraction to people of one's own gender and another gender, whereas pansexual refers to attraction regardless of gender.
Omnisexual is a less common synonym for pansexual and is sometimes distinguished by emphasizing attraction to all genders, including nonbinary genders.