adjective

gender neutral

JEN-der NYOO-truhl

Quiz me More like this

Gender neutral (adjective) means Designed or worded so as not to be associated with, or to favour, either men or women. Example: “The office replaced its signs with gender-neutral toilets.”

adjective

Designed or worded so as not to be associated with, or to favour, either men or women.

"The office replaced its signs with gender-neutral toilets."

"Job adverts must be written in gender-neutral language."

Of a name, pronoun or grammatical form: usable for any gender.

"Alex and Sam are popular gender-neutral names."

"Singular they is the standard gender-neutral pronoun in English."

How to use gender neutral

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot aimed at or limited to men or women.

When to use it

Hyphenated before a noun (gender-neutral language), open after the verb (the wording is gender neutral). Preferred over unisex in policy and HR contexts; unisex survives mainly for clothing, salons and changing rooms.

Memory tip

Common gender-neutral swaps: chair for chairman, firefighter for fireman, they for he or she, spouse for husband or wife.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

gender fluid → unisex → gender-inclusive genderless →

Common pairings

gender-neutral language gender-neutral toilets gender-neutral name gender-neutral pronouns gender-neutral parenting

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like gender neutral.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “gender neutral” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Etymology

Gender is from Latin genus, meaning kind or sort, via Old French gendre; neutral is from Latin neutralis, from neuter meaning neither of the two.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

unisex gender-inclusive non-gendered all-gender epicene common-gender

Antonyms

gendered gender-specific

Related words

generic feminine sissy epicene gendered unisex androgynous gynandromorph

Rhymes for gender neutral

neutral

See all rhymes for gender neutral →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gender neutral and gender fluid?

Gender neutral describes things — words, clothes, bathrooms, policies — that are not tied to any gender. Gender fluid describes a person whose own gender identity shifts over time. A gender-fluid person may or may not prefer gender-neutral language for themselves.

What is the difference between gender neutral and unisex?

They overlap, but unisex usually means suitable for both men and women — a unisex salon, unisex sizing — and still assumes two categories. Gender neutral goes further, avoiding gender as a category at all, which is why inclusive policies and language guides prefer it.

Is "they" acceptable as a gender-neutral pronoun?

Yes. Singular they has been used in English for centuries for an unknown or unspecified person, and is now standard for people who use it as their pronoun. Major style guides, including the AP and Chicago manuals, accept it.

What is the meaning of gender neutral?

"gender neutral" (adjective) means designed or worded so as not to be associated with, or to favour, either men or women.

People also searched

generic feminine sissy epicene gendered unisex androgynous gynandromorph