What do they really mean?
The two terms are derived from Greek and are based not on biological sex, but on masculinity and femininity.

Gynephilia describes a sexual and/or romantic attraction to femininity or women. This type of attraction can be felt by anyone: a male, a female, or a non-binary person attracted to women.

Androphilia refers to a sexual and/or romantic attraction to masculinity or men. In this case, too, the person who is attracted can identify with any gender, such as a male, a female, or a non-binary person attracted to men.

Why are they so important?

Using these terms isn't just a trend; it's a necessity for many people. Until recently, we only used the terms "hetero" and "homo," which are based on a binary system (attraction between males and females). This system leaves out all people who don't identify as either male or female, such as non-binary people.

A non-binary person may not accept the definitions of "homosexual" or "heterosexual." Using the terms androphile or gynephile allows them to describe their attraction in a more precise and authentic way, based on who they're attracted to, not on the gender of the person feeling the attraction. This opens the door to a language that adapts to a world that is finally embracing diversity.

And what about someone attracted to all genders, but in different ways?

A question might arise: if androphilia and gynephilia describe attraction to masculinity and femininity, how do you define someone attracted to both? The most common and widespread answer is bisexual. Bisexuality is attraction to more than one gender, and although the prefix "bi-" means "two," the term has been widely adopted to include attraction to one's own gender and other genders.

However, in this case, the terms we are exploring offer an additional perspective. A person attracted to multiple genders could simply define themselves as androphilic and gynephilic. This description highlights that the attraction is not based on the gender of the person feeling the attraction, but on the gender characteristics they are attracted to (masculinity/femininity).

Attraction isn't always a matter of balanced percentages. It's not uncommon for a bisexual person—or, in this case, an androphilic and gynephilic person—to feel a stronger attraction to one gender than to another. To describe these nuances, some might form neologisms like androgynophil (with a preference for androphilia) or gyneandrophil (with a preference for gynephilia). Language gives us the flexibility we need to describe our experiences authentically, without forcing them into rigid boxes.

Conclusion
The evolution of language is never random; it reflects how we think and live. Terms like androphilia, gynephilia, and their potential neologisms like androgynophil are not just technical words. They are valuable tools that allow a growing number of people to more authentically describe their experience and identity.

Understanding and accepting these concepts means taking a step forward toward a more inclusive world, where attraction is no longer confined to rigid categories but can be explored in its infinite variety and complexity. After all, love doesn't have a single name, and a richer language simply helps us give voice to its every shade.

*Board Member, SRSN (Roman Society of Natural Science) Past Editor-in-Chief, Italian Journal of Dermosurgery