sex
11 synonyms for sex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old French sexe, from Latin sexus, ultimately from a root meaning "to cut, divide" — reflecting the idea of the species being divided into two categories.
Full origin of sex →Frequently asked questions
What does “sex” mean?
The word “sex” means the biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles.
How do you pronounce “sex”?
“Sex” is pronounced SEHKS (/ˈsɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “sex” in a sentence?
Here is “sex” used in a sentence: “The form asked applicants to state their sex.”
What is another word for “sex”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sex” include get it on and have sex.
What part of speech is “sex”?
“Sex” is a noun.
Where does the word “sex” come from?
The word “sex” comes from Latin. From Old French sexe, from Latin sexus, ultimately from a root meaning "to cut, divide" — reflecting the idea of the species being divided into two categories.
Is “sex” a common word?
“Sex” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sex” have?
“Sex” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles.
What is the difference between "sex" and "gender"?
In careful modern usage, "sex" refers to the biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles, while "gender" is generally used for social roles, behaviour, and identity. In everyday speech the two words are still often used interchangeably, but scientific and official writing increasingly keeps them distinct.
Does "sex" on a form mean the same as "gender"?
On official documents, "sex" traditionally asks for the biological or legal classification of male or female. Many modern forms use "sex" and "gender" interchangeably, so when precision matters, check whether the form defines the term it uses.
