ATTRACTION & RELATIONSHIPS

Aesthetic attraction: an appreciation for or attraction to someone's looks, but which does not necessarily accompany a desire for any kind of reciprocation; experiencing aesthetic attraction towards someone does not automatically lead to a desire for a romantic or sexual relationship with that person.

Alterous attraction: a type of attraction that is neither entirely platonic nor entirely romantic, best described as desiring an emotional closeness with somebody.

Aromate: a term to refer to a partner in an aromantic relationship.

Asexy: a term used playfully by some members of the ace community as a positive describing word, often in relation to things or people they are attracted to, but not sexually.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD): A disorder characterised by lack of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity which causes a person significant distress. Sometimes used to attempt to pathologise asexuality, though an asexual person who experiences no distress because of their identity is excluded from this diagnosis. Asexuality itself is not a disorder - it's a legitimate orientation, and there's nothing wrong with being ace!

Libido: a person's sex drive, or the frequency with which they desire sexual contact, regardless of their experiences (or lack thereof) of attraction. Someone's libido or sex-drive is not the same as their attraction; someone might be asexual and have a high sex-drive, or they could have none at all.

Limerence: any strong feelings of attraction, such as 'butterflies', nervousness, obsessive thoughts, or desire for approval.

Nonlibidoist: someone who does not have a libido, or has a very low libido.

Primary attraction: any attraction experienced upon first meeting someone.

Platonic attraction: a type of attraction that is not romantic, but more of an intense desire to be close to somebody emotionally, possibly more intense than a typical desire for friendship.

Platonic partner/qp: a term to refer to someone's partner in a non-romantic relationship.

Queer-Platonic Relationship/Quasi-Platonic Relationship (QPR): a platonic relationship that transcends a person's usual boundaries for friendships, or an incredibly strong non-romantic partnership. 'Quasi-platonic' came about as an alternative to 'queer-platonic' for people who do not feel comfortable using a reclaimed slur.

Romantic attraction: a romantic pull towards someone, which usually results in a desire for a romantic relationship with that person.

Secondary attraction: any attraction that develops over time. Within the ace community, most often experienced by demi individuals.

Sensual attraction: a type of attraction based on the senses, especially touch, which typically results in a desire for some physical contact with another person, such as holding hands, hugging, or kissing. Sensual attraction does not have to be accompanied by romantic or sexual feelings.

Sexual attraction: a sexual draw towards someone, typically resulting in a desire for a sexual partnership with that person.

Squish: a term used by some ace/aro people to describe a platonic crush. Some criticise the term as being infantilising.

Zucchini: a term of endearment used by some aro/ace people to describe their queer-platonic or quasi-platonic partner. Usage is much more prevalent in the USA, and there are a number of criticisms.

http://www.oulgbtq.org/acearo-spectrum-definitions.html