sex
SEHKS
Sex (noun) means the biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles. Example: “The form asked applicants to state their sex.”
noun
1
The biological category — male or female — based on reproductive roles.
"The form asked applicants to state their sex."
"Doctors can often determine a baby's sex during an ultrasound."
"Please tick the box that shows your sex on the form."
2
Sexual activity, especially intercourse.
"The show was criticized for its explicit depictions of sex."
How to use sex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the male/female biological category, or sexual intercourse — context tells you which.
Common mistake
Sex refers to biological category; gender is often used for social/personal identity — many style guides now distinguish the two.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- sexes
- Third person singular
- sexes
- Past tense
- sexed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The form asked applicants to state their _____.
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.
Synonyms
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biological sex
sexual category
intercourse
lovemaking
coitus
copulation
gender
mating
sexuality
get it on
have sex
Related words
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.
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