What does sexiness mean?
Sexiness is the noun corresponding to the adjective sexy and denotes sexual attractiveness, appeal, or magnetism. It may describe a person's appearance, manner, or confidence, as well as qualities perceived as attractive in clothing, images, music, performance, or artistic design. For example, a critic might praise the actor's combination of composure and provocative styling, or comment on the deliberate sexiness of a photograph. The word is widely used in British and American English and can carry positive, sensual, playful, or deliberately challenging associations. Depending on context, however, it may also reduce someone to their perceived sexual appeal, so neutral alternatives such as attractiveness, appeal, or magnetism may be preferable when sexual appeal is not the intended emphasis.
nounThe quality of being sexually attractive or appealing. It can also refer to the expression of sexuality in a person, image, performance, or object.
- The quality of being sexually attractive or appealing.
"The model's effortless confidence gave her performance an unmistakable air of sexiness."
"Her bold style brought a striking sense of sexiness to the stage."
"The song's combination of rhythm and swagger accounts for much of its sexiness."
The plural is grammatical but uncommon; sexiness is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The exhibition explored different forms of sexiness across fashion, photography, and performance."
Add the suffix -ness to the adjective sexy, and a broad term for sexual appeal becomes a noun that can describe people, images, music, style, and performance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sexiness
Sexiness was formed in the early 20th century by adding the noun-forming suffix -ness to the adjective sexy. Sexy, in turn, derives from sex and appeared in the same period. Sex ultimately comes from Latin sexus, meaning "a division or class of people" and, by later extension, "sexual characteristics," which also underlies cognates such as sexual and sensual.
Related word forms
How sexiness is actually used
Common in both British and American English. In everyday use it can be complimentary, descriptive, or playful, but it may also sound reductive when applied to a person by emphasizing physical or sexual appeal rather than other qualities.