sexually

Sexually is an adverb used to describe actions, states, or characteristics that relate to sex, sexuality, or reproduction. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or nouns in order to specify that something involves sexual activity, sexual health, or sexual differences. Examples include "sexually transmitted infections," "sexually active," "sexually mature," and "sexually dimorphic traits."

Etymology and form: The word is formed from the adjective "sexual" with the adverbial suffix "-ly." "Sexual" itself comes from Latin sexus (sex) via older Latin and French sources, and "sexually" functions as an adverb to describe manner, degree, or relation to sex.

Usage and contexts: In biology and medicine, "sexually" is common in phrases such as "sexually reproducing organisms" or "sexually transmitted infections." In education and policy, it appears in discussions of sexual health, consent, and human development. It is also used in everyday language to describe how a person might engage in sexual activity ("sexually active") or states related to sexual anatomy or maturity ("sexually mature").

Notes: "Sexually" primarily conveys relation to sex or sexuality and does not by itself convey gender identity or sexual orientation, which are separate concepts. When discussing orientation, phrases like "attracted sexually to" may be used, but more standard terminology is "sexual orientation" and the terms describing it (e.g., heterosexual, gay, bisexual, asexual).