Bi-curious - meaning and definition
Alsobicuriousbi-curiosity
Definition
Describes someone, often identifying as straight or gay, who is curious about attraction to or experiences with more than one gender.
At a glance
- Describes curiosity about attraction to, or experiences with, more than one gender.
- Common in dating profiles as a signal of openness.
- Can be a stage of questioning, a lasting description or curiosity that goes nowhere.
- Some bisexual people dislike it when it is used to suggest bisexuality is not real.
In detail
Bi-curious often appears in dating profiles to signal openness to exploring. It can be a stage of questioning, a lasting description, or simply curiosity that never leads anywhere.
Some bisexual people find the term frustrating when it is used to suggest bisexuality is not a real identity. Used respectfully, it is simply an honest description of where someone is.
In a sentence
- Her profile says bi-curious, so she's open to meeting women but still figuring things out.
- I described myself as bi-curious for a while before I realised I'm bisexual.
Not to be confused with
- Bisexual
Bisexual is an orientation; bi-curious describes curiosity or exploration.
Common questions
Is bi-curious the same as bisexual?
Not quite. Bisexual describes attraction to more than one gender. Bi-curious describes curiosity or openness that someone is still exploring. Some people move from one label to the other; others stay curious or find the curiosity fades.
Is it okay to say bi-curious?
Yes, when someone uses it honestly about themselves. Problems arise when it is used to dismiss bisexual people's identities as mere curiosity.