Sapiosexual

Sexual and/or romantic attraction based primarily on intelligence rather than on gender or physical characteristics. Note: Skoliosexual (attraction to non-binary and gender-nonconforming people) is now more commonly named ceterosexual - see that entry.

Latin sapiens (wise, discerning) + sexual. Coined in online spaces in the late 1990s-2000s; gained mainstream visibility from the 2010s.

Sapiosexual gained mainstream attention in the 2010s through its addition to dating app profile options (OkCupid added it as an orientation option). The related term skoliosexual emerged alongside expanding non-binary identity vocabulary on Tumblr in the early-to-mid 2010s, and has largely been superseded by ceterosexual.

• "Sapiosexual is just a personality preference, not an orientation." Debate exists within communities about whether sapiosexuality constitutes a distinct orientation or a preference. Those who identify as sapiosexual describe it as a core, consistent pattern of attraction.
• "Sapiosexuality is elitist." Critics argue it can imply certain forms of intelligence are more attractive, potentially marginalizing neurodivergent people. Proponents argue it describes a genuine pattern of attraction, not a hierarchy.