Gynephilia is a term used in psychology and sexology to describe a sexual orientation characterized by a primary or exclusive attraction to women or feminine qualities. It denotes a consistent pattern of sexual and romantic attraction directed toward individuals who identify as women or who present with female characteristics. The term is broader than just female attraction and can apply regardless of the gender identity of the person experiencing the attraction. Gynephilia is often contrasted with androphilia, which is attraction to men or masculinity. It encompasses various orientations, including heterosexual attraction to women (for those assigned male at birth), homosexual attraction to women (for those assigned female at birth), and bisexual or pansexual orientations where attraction to women is significant. The concept is useful in understanding sexual orientation beyond traditional gender binaries and applies to people of any gender attracted to women or femininity.