noun
Uncommon
intercourse
IHN-tuh-kaws
Intercourse (noun) means Sexual activity between people.
noun
1
Sexual activity between people.
"The textbook describes the biology of sexual intercourse."
2
Dealings or exchange between people, groups, or countries — social, commercial, or diplomatic.
"Centuries of trade brought cultural intercourse between the two regions."
"Diplomatic intercourse between the two nations resumed after years of silence."
"Social intercourse in the village was limited to market days and church services."
How to use intercourse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used today for sex, but its older, more formal meaning is any exchange or dealing between people or nations.
Common mistake
In modern everyday speech "intercourse" almost always means sex; the "dealings between people" sense now sounds old-fashioned or formal outside of academic or legal writing.
When to use it
The general "dealings" sense is formal/dated; most readers will assume the sexual meaning.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like intercourse.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- intercourses
- Third person singular
- intercourses
- Past tense
- intercoursed
Etymology
From Old French entrecours, from Late Latin intercursus, literally "a running between."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for intercourse
See all rhymes for intercourse →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of intercourse?
"intercourse" (noun) means sexual activity between people.
What is another word for intercourse?
Other words for "intercourse" include exchange, dealings, relations, correspondence, coitus, copulation.
What are the different meanings of intercourse?
"intercourse" has 2 main meanings: 1. Sexual activity between people; 2. Dealings or exchange between people, groups, or countries — social, commercial, or diplomatic.
How do you use intercourse in a sentence?
Example: "The textbook describes the biology of sexual intercourse."
