Asexual (commonly shortened to ace) is an orientation defined by experiencing little to no sexual attraction, the prefix a- meaning not or lack of in Greek.

Being asexual does not mean that one is unable to experience romantic attraction or any other type of attractions. An asexual individual can have any romantic orientation. They may identify with a romantic orientation in addition to the label of asexual to specify who they're interested in romantically, if anyone. For example, a heteromantic asexual individual is romantically attracted to individuals of a different gender, but is not sexually attracted to any gender. Some asexual individuals are also aromantic (aroace), meaning they experience neither sexual nor romantic attraction.

Sexual dispositions among asexual individuals can vary. Some asexual individuals may still masturbate or have or seek sexual relationship(s) despite not feeling sexual attraction to anyone (cupiosexual). This could be for many reasons, such as for their own pleasure, their partner's pleasure, desire for self exploration, or feeling that one's attraction is not an important aspect to partaking in their sexual relationship(s). Other asexual individuals may be repulsed by the concept of sexuality. Terms like sex-repulsed, sex-indifferent, sex-favorable, or sex-ambivalent are commonly used to describe these attitudes.

A common misconception is that all asexual individuals are either celibates or practicing abstinence. Those who are abstinent or celibate are not necessarily asexual; they may still experience sexual attraction but choose not to act on it, typically for moral or religious reasons.