monofilia

Monofilia is a term used in several disciplines to describe a tendency, preference, or attraction toward a single category, most commonly toward members of one gender. The word is formed from the Greek monos “one” and philos “loving” or “fond of.” Because it appears in different theoretical traditions, its precise meaning can vary by context.

In sexuality and gender studies, monofilia is sometimes used to denote exclusive attraction to individuals of one gender, i.e., a monosexual orientation. It is typically contrasted with terms that describe attraction to multiple genders. The term is not a standard category in major diagnostic manuals, and its use is variable across authors. Some critics argue that it can obscure the diversity of sexual experiences, while others use it as a descriptive label within specific empirical or sociological analyses.

Beyond sexuality, the term has appeared in discussions of social preferences where a single-category focus is described—such as a preference for a single partner type or form of engagement. However, such uses are informal and less standardized than in sexual orientation discourse. In all applications, the term should be defined in context to avoid ambiguity.

See also: Monosexual, Monogamy, Homophilia, Heterophilia, Bisexuality.