Sensual orientation

Sensual orientation describes the kinds of people from whom someone wants physical affection, touch, closeness, or tenderness. This can refer to an erotic context as well as to non-sexual forms of contact such as cuddling, holding hands, hugging, or similar expressions of intimacy. The term helps distinguish sensual and emotional attraction from sexual or romantic attraction.

Sensual orientation is a personal self-description and may differ from other forms of orientation. It can relate to a specific gender, to multiple genders, or, regardless of gender, to particular people. Because touch can mean very different things to different people, the term should always be understood in the sense intended by the person concerned.