Demiromantic

Demiromantic is a romantic orientation describing people who do not experience romantic attraction unless they have formed a strong emotional bond with someone. In practice, demiromantic individuals typically experience romantic attraction only after building closeness, trust, or a deep emotional connection, rather than based on appearances or casual interactions alone. This places demiromantic within the gray area of the romantic spectrum, alongside other identities such as grayromantic and alloromantic.

Demiromantic is separate from sexual orientation. A person can be demiromantic regardless of whether they are heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, panromantic, or asexual, and may or may not desire romantic relationships. The related term demisexual describes sexual attraction that arises only after a strong emotional bond; demiromantic describes the pattern of romantic attraction. Some individuals identify as both demiromantic and grayromantic, or as demiromantic and aromantic, though interpretations vary within communities.

In daily life, a demiromantic person may take longer to recognize romantic interest, prioritizing emotional compatibility and trust. They may seek relationships in which a deep bond develops before romantic feelings emerge, and their pace for pursuing romance can differ from person to person.

The term demiromantic emerged within online and LGBTQ+ communities in the 2010s and is used to describe personal experiences rather than a scientifically defined category. It is one of many self-identified orientations within the wider spectrum of human attraction.