sex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to formal for core meaning (biological category); informal to neutral for 'sexual intercourse' meaning.
Quick answer
What does “sex” mean?
The state of being male or female (biological classification).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being male or female (biological classification).
1. The category of male or female; 2. Sexual intercourse; 3. The phenomena of sexual instincts and activity; 4. (rare/archaic) The genitals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meanings. The 'biological category' meaning is slightly more common in UK official forms ('sex: M/F'). US forms sometimes use 'gender' in this context, though this is a conflation. The word 'sex' for intercourse is used similarly in both.
Connotations
Similar in both. The word can be clinical, neutral, or blunt depending on context. Less euphemistic than 'sleep with' or 'make love'.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties for all core meanings.
Grammar
How to Use “sex” in a Sentence
have sex (with)sex of the babytalk about sexengage in sexprotected/unprotected sexVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sex” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmer had to sex the day-old chicks.
- The lab will sex the DNA samples.
American English
- The researchers will sex the animal specimens.
- It's difficult to sex some reptile species visually.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The sex discrimination act is a key piece of legislation.
- They discussed sex education in schools.
American English
- Sex chromosomes determine biological sex.
- The movie was cited for its sex scenes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in HR contexts (e.g., 'sex discrimination') or specific industries (e.g., 'sex toys').
Academic
Common in biological, medical, psychological, and sociological contexts to denote biological category or the subject of study.
Everyday
Common, but usage depends heavily on social context. Can be direct/blunt when referring to intercourse.
Technical
Core term in biology, medicine, and law (e.g., 'sex chromosomes', 'sex reassignment', 'sex crime').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sex”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sex”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sex”
- Confusing 'sex' (biological) with 'gender' (social/identity). Overusing the word 'sex' in polite conversation where a euphemism might be more appropriate. Using 'a sex' instead of 'a gender' (e.g., 'the male sex' is correct, 'a male sex' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, 'sex' refers to biological and physiological characteristics (male/female), while 'gender' refers to the social and cultural roles, behaviours, and identities associated with being a man or a woman. In modern usage, 'gender' is also used for one's personal identity, which may not align with biological sex.
It is not inherently rude, but it is a direct and non-euphemistic word. In casual conversation about sexual activity, many people prefer softer terms like 'sleep together' or 'be intimate'. In formal, medical, or biological contexts, it is the standard and appropriate term.
Yes, but this use is highly specific and technical. It means 'to determine the sex of', used primarily in biology, agriculture, and medicine (e.g., 'to sex chicks' or 'to sex a patient's chromosomes'). It is not a synonym for 'to have sex with'.
Forms using 'Sex' typically want a binary answer based on biological or legal documentation (M/F). Forms using 'Gender' may be acknowledging a broader social identity and might offer more options. However, in practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably on forms, which can cause confusion.
The state of being male or female (biological classification).
Sex is usually neutral to formal for core meaning (biological category); informal to neutral for 'sexual intercourse' meaning. in register.
Sex: in British English it is pronounced /sɛks/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the sex talk”
- “sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll”
- “sex on legs (slang, chiefly UK)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SEX' as containing 'EX' for 'example' of the two main biological categories.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEX IS A COMMODITY (e.g., 'sell sex'), SEX IS A FORCE (e.g., 'driven by sex'), SEX IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'led to sex').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'sex' is considered the most formal or scientific?