Sapiosexual - meaning and definition
Alsosapiosapiosexualityattracted to intelligence
Definition
Describes someone who finds intelligence the most attractive quality in a person. It is usually a stated preference rather than an orientation.
At a glance
- Describes finding intelligence the most attractive quality in a person.
- Usually a stated preference rather than a sexual orientation.
- Says nothing about which genders someone is attracted to.
- Popular on dating apps and profiles.
- Sometimes criticised as elitist.
In detail
Sapiosexual became popular on dating apps as a way to say "clever conversation matters most to me". Unlike most words ending in "-sexual", it does not describe which genders someone is attracted to.
Some people criticise the term as elitist or as borrowing the language of orientation for a personal taste. Others use it light-heartedly. In a profile it is best read as "I value intellectual connection".
In a sentence
- His profile says sapiosexual, so I opened with a question about the book in his photo.
- Calling yourself sapiosexual is really just saying you value a good conversation.
Where the word comes from
From Latin sapiens, meaning wise, combined with sexual. It became popular on dating sites and apps in the 2010s.
Not to be confused with
- Demisexual
Demisexual is an asexual-spectrum orientation about needing an emotional bond.
Common questions
Is sapiosexual a real sexual orientation?
Most people treat it as a preference rather than an orientation, because it does not describe which genders someone is attracted to. On a profile it is best read as I value intellectual connection.
Why do some people dislike the word?
Critics say it can sound elitist, implying others are not clever enough, and that it borrows the language of orientation for a personal taste. Others use it light-heartedly.