What is it called when you love someone but not sexually?

When you love someone emotionally or romantically but do not feel sexual attraction toward them, it’s usually called romantic love without sexual attraction, and there are specific terms within the LGBTQIA+ and asexual spectrum:

1. Aromantic vs. Aesthetic Distinctions

  • Aromantic: A person who generally does not experience romantic attraction toward others.

  • Alloromantic: A person who experiences romantic attraction but may or may not feel sexual attraction.

So someone can be alloromantic and asexual—they fall in love emotionally but do not feel sexual desire.

2. Common Terms

  • Asexual (ace): People who do not experience sexual attraction, but many still experience emotional or romantic love.

  • Romantic orientations:

    • Heteroromantic: Romantically attracted to the opposite gender, without sexual desire.

    • Homoromantic: Romantically attracted to the same gender, without sexual desire.

    • Biromantic/panromantic: Romantically attracted to multiple or all genders, without sexual desire.

Essentially, someone can love deeply, form attachments, and desire intimacy without sexual interest, and that’s completely valid.

3. Emotional vs. Sexual Love

  • Emotional love includes caring, attachment, intimacy, trust, and partnership.

  • Sexual attraction is separate—it’s the desire for sexual contact or arousal.

  • Many relationships are romantic but non-sexual, especially among asexual people.

Bottom Line

If you love someone but don’t feel sexual attraction, you’re likely experiencing romantic love without sexual attraction, which can be described as alloromantic asexuality or simply emotional/romantic love.

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