'sexuality' originates from the adjective 'sexual' combined with the suffix '-ity'. 'Sexual' derives from Latin 'sexus' meaning 'state of being male or female', and the suffix '-ity' comes from Latin '-itas' meaning 'state, quality'.

'sexual' entered English via Medieval Latin/French from Latin 'sexus'; the noun form 'sexuality' developed in the 19th century by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ity' to the adjective 'sexual', producing the modern English 'sexuality'.

Initially related mainly to biological sex or sexual characteristics ('state of being male or female'), the term broadened over time to cover sexual feelings, orientation, identity, practices, and cultural/social aspects of sex.