gentle sex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Archaic, Literary, Occasionally Humorous/Ironic
Quick answer
What does “gentle sex” mean?
A dated, often patronizing term for women collectively, emphasizing perceived qualities of softness and mildness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dated, often patronizing term for women collectively, emphasizing perceived qualities of softness and mildness.
A now archaic or ironic collective noun for women, historically used in contexts of chivalry or supposed female delicacy, now considered gender-stereotyping.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. Might appear slightly more often in British historical or literary texts due to the persistence of certain class-based idioms.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of outdated chivalry and gender stereotyping. In modern use, the ironic or humorous tone is primary.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary language. Almost entirely confined to historical references, period pieces, or deliberate stylistic choices.
Grammar
How to Use “gentle sex” in a Sentence
[definite article] + gentle sexadjective + gentle sex (e.g., 'the fair and gentle sex')Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Considered inappropriate and unprofessional.
Academic
Only used in historical, sociological, or gender studies contexts to critique dated language and stereotypes.
Everyday
Virtually never used in earnest. If used, it would be as a joke or with heavy irony among friends familiar with the phrase.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gentle sex”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gentle sex”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gentle sex”
- Using it in modern formal or informal contexts without clear ironic signalling. Treating it as a neutral or complimentary term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not in modern usage. While it was once intended as a chivalrous term, it is now seen as reinforcing restrictive gender stereotypes and is considered patronising.
No, unless you are directly quoting a historical source or deliberately evoking an archaic style for a specific rhetorical purpose (e.g., in literature or critique).
"Women" is the standard, neutral term. Context-specific terms like "female colleagues," "women in the workforce," etc., are also appropriate.
Dictionaries record historical and lexical usage to aid in understanding older texts and the evolution of language, not necessarily to endorse current use.
A dated, often patronizing term for women collectively, emphasizing perceived qualities of softness and mildness.
Gentle sex: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒentl ˈseks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen(t)l ˈseks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The gentle sex (is)...”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight bowing deeply and saying, "I fight for the GENTLE SEX," then a modern woman next to him rolling her eyes. The antiquated chivalry locks the meaning in place.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMEN ARE DELICATE / WOMEN ARE MILD (archaic stereotype)
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'the gentle sex' be MOST appropriate today?