What does sexological mean?
Sexological is an adjective meaning connected with sexology, the scientific study of human sexuality. It can refer to research, theories, methods, or perspectives concerned with sexual behavior, attitudes, identity, and the biological and psychological factors associated with sexuality. The word is most common in academic, medical, psychological, and educational contexts, rather than in everyday conversation. It should not be used as a general substitute for sexual: sexological research specifically concerns the disciplined study of sexuality, while sexual can refer broadly to anything involving sex, attraction, or intimacy. In phrases such as sexological research and sexological studies, the adjective identifies a field or approach rather than describing an individual experience. Its specialized character makes it especially useful in discussing the history, methods, and cultural significance of the study of sexuality.
adjectiveRelating to sexology, the scientific study of human sexuality, including sexual behavior, attitudes, and related biological and psychological phenomena.
- Relating to sexology or the scientific study of human sexuality.
"Her sexological research examines how language shapes attitudes toward intimacy."
"The journal publishes sexological studies on human intimacy and relationships."
"Her lecture offered a sexological perspective on myths surrounding sexual behavior."
Sexological points to the scientific study of sexuality, shifting the focus from what people consider sexual behavior to how experts investigate it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sexological come from?
Sexological was formed in English from sexology with the adjective-forming suffix -ical. Sexology itself combines sex, ultimately from Latin sexus, with the Greek-derived scholarly suffix -ology, meaning the study of a subject. The terminology developed alongside the emergence of sexology as a recognized academic and medical discipline, with related forms including sexologist and sexological.
Related word forms
How sexological is actually used
This is a specialized, formal term. It describes something connected with sexology and is narrower than the broad adjective sexual.
Easily confused with sexological
Sexological relates to the study of human sexuality, whereas sociological relates to society, social behavior, or social institutions.