Relationships4 min(s) read
'Androsexual' meaning as people identifying is on the rise
Human sexuality has never been one-size-fits-all. As our understanding of identity continues to evolve, so too does the language we use to describe who we are and who we’re drawn to.
One term that’s been gaining attention is 'androsexual' — and for many, it offers clarity where other labels fall short.
What Does ‘Androsexual’ Actually Mean?
When it comes to attraction, people experience it in countless ways.
Language can be a powerful tool in helping individuals articulate those feelings.
In the past, even widely recognized terms like homosexual or non-binary didn’t exist.
That doesn’t mean people who we might now consider gay or non-binary weren’t around — they simply used different language and frameworks to understand themselves.
The term 'androsexual' draws from the Greek prefix 'andro-,' which relates to masculinity.
And that’s exactly what it refers to: attraction to masculinity — regardless of who is expressing it.
In simple terms, being androsexual means you are attracted to masculinity, but not necessarily to men.
Attraction To Masculinity vs. Attraction To Men
At first glance, some might wonder: why not just say you’re attracted to men?
The answer lies in nuance.
Someone who identifies as androsexual isn’t exclusively drawn to men as a gender category.
Instead, they’re attracted to masculine traits or presentation — whoever embodies them.
For example: A lesbian or bisexual woman may feel especially attracted to women who present in a more masculine way.
A pansexual person might be attracted to people of all gender identities, but find themselves gravitating toward those who appear more masculine — whether they’re women, men, or non-binary individuals.
Even a straight man could identify with the term if he’s attracted to masculine-presenting women, but not to men.
The label provides a way to separate attraction to masculinity from attraction to men specifically. For many, that distinction feels more accurate and affirming.
How People Who Identify As Androsexual Describe Themselves
For some individuals, traditional labels don’t quite fit. That’s where 'androsexual' can offer clarity.
One person who identifies with the term androsexual wrote on Reddit: "I’m agender and AFAB [assigned female at birth] so it feels weird to say I’m heterosexual so there aren’t really any better words to describe my sexual identity (I’m attracted to cis/trans men/male presenting enbys [non-binary people])."
Another agreed: "I also am attracted to men and masculine enbies and I use it because it’s what describes my attraction the best, even if my attraction doesn’t perfectly fit any of the definition."
For these individuals, the term doesn’t just describe who they’re attracted to — it helps resolve the discomfort or confusion that can come with using labels that don’t fully align with their gender identity.
Why The Term Is Especially Useful For Non-Binary And Gender-Fluid People
The concept of androsexuality can be particularly helpful for people who identify as non-binary or gender-fluid.
When your own sense of gender can shift, traditional sexuality labels may feel limiting or inaccurate. After all, how do you define yourself as gay or straight if your gender identity isn’t fixed?
If some days you feel like a man, some days a woman, and some days neither, sexuality categories built on rigid gender binaries can feel complicated.
For some, focusing on attraction to qualities — like masculinity or femininity — rather than strictly to men or women provides a clearer framework.
Of course, being non-binary or gender-fluid doesn’t prevent someone from identifying as straight or gay. Everyone’s relationship with their identity is deeply personal. There’s no single 'correct' way to label yourself.
But for those who find masculinity attractive without necessarily being attracted to men, 'androsexual' can feel like the right fit.
The Power Of Having The Right Word
At its core, the rise of terms like androsexual reflects something simple: people want language that accurately captures their lived experience.
The word offers specificity. It separates gender from gender expression. It gives individuals a way to say, 'this is what I’m drawn to,' without feeling boxed into a category that doesn’t fully resonate.
And if a word gives someone the means to describe what they feel, that’s a good thing.