Is 'second sex' only about women?

Originally, yes. Beauvoir used it specifically to analyse the condition of women. However, the conceptual framework has sometimes been applied by analogy to other groups socially constructed as 'other' or secondary.

Can I use 'second sex' in everyday conversation?

It would sound very academic and specific. In most everyday situations, simpler terms like 'gender inequality' or 'women's status' would be more natural and widely understood.

Does the term imply women are inferior?

No. It is a critical description of a historical and social positioning, not an endorsement of it. The term is used to analyse and challenge the idea of women as secondary.

Is 'The Second Sex' the book's original title?

No, the original French title is 'Le Deuxième Sexe'. The English translation by H.M. Parshley was published in 1953.

Is “second sex” formal?

Second sex is usually formal, academic, literary in register.

How do you pronounce “second sex”?

Second sex: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

second sex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1-C2

UK/ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/US/ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/

Formal, Academic, Literary

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “second sex” mean?

A concept (originally from Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 book "Le Deuxième Sexe") describing women as being historically defined as the 'other' or secondary category in a male-dominated society.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A concept (originally from Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 book "Le Deuxième Sexe") describing women as being historically defined as the 'other' or secondary category in a male-dominated society.

Refers to the social, historical, and philosophical construction of womanhood as subordinate or derivative relative to a male norm. Used more broadly to discuss any group positioned as secondary or 'other' in a hierarchical social structure.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. The concept is equally recognized in academic circles in both regions.

Connotations

Carries the same strong feminist and philosophical connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Low frequency in general discourse, but stable within feminist theory, gender studies, and literary criticism in both the UK and US.

Grammar

How to Use “second sex” in a Sentence

[The] + second sex + [verb: is/are/was considered/defined as/treated as][Subject] + analyses/explores/discusses + the concept of the second sex

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Beauvoir'sconcept of thethe notion of thedescribed as the

medium

analysis of thethe idea of theportrayed as the

weak

booktheorywomen as the

Examples

Examples of “second sex” in a Sentence

verb

British English

N/A - not used as a verb.

American English

N/A - not used as a verb.

adverb

British English

N/A - not used as an adverb.

American English

N/A - not used as an adverb.

adjective

British English

N/A - not used as an adjective.

American English

N/A - not used as an adjective.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Might appear in DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) discussions about historical gender imbalances.

Academic

Primary context. Used in feminist philosophy, sociology, literary theory, gender studies, and cultural history.

Everyday

Very rare. Would only be used by someone familiar with feminist theory.

Technical

Used as a technical term within critical theory and gender studies.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “second sex”

Strong

the oppressed sex (more polemical)the derivative sex

Neutral

women as otherthe subordinate sexthe feminine condition

Weak

womanhoodthe female experience (broader, less critical)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “second sex”

the first sexthe primary sexthe default sex (male norm)the dominant sex

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “second sex”

Using it without 'the' (e.g., 'She wrote about second sex').
Using it as a plural countable noun (e.g., 'the second sexes').
Using it in a non-critical, purely biological sense.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Originally, yes. Beauvoir used it specifically to analyse the condition of women. However, the conceptual framework has sometimes been applied by analogy to other groups socially constructed as 'other' or secondary.
: It would sound very academic and specific. In most everyday situations, simpler terms like 'gender inequality' or 'women's status' would be more natural and widely understood.
: No. It is a critical description of a historical and social positioning, not an endorsement of it. The term is used to analyse and challenge the idea of women as secondary.
: No, the original French title is 'Le Deuxième Sexe'. The English translation by H.M. Parshley was published in 1953.
: A concept (originally from Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 book "Le Deuxième Sexe") describing women as being historically defined as the 'other' or secondary category in a male-dominated society.
: Second sex is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
: Second sex: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˌsekənd ˈseks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[None directly. The term itself functions as a conceptual idiom.]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Second place' implies not first. 'The Second Sex' argues society has historically placed women in second place, after men.

Conceptual Metaphor

SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A RANKING (where men are first, women are second).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Simone de Beauvoir's groundbreaking 1949 book is titled 'The '. It introduced this key feminist concept to a wide audience.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the term 'the second sex' MOST appropriately used?