sex symbol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “sex symbol” mean?
A person, typically a celebrity, who is widely perceived as embodying sexual attractiveness and appeal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, typically a celebrity, who is widely perceived as embodying sexual attractiveness and appeal.
Can extend to fictional characters or public figures who symbolize sexuality in cultural narratives, often within media and entertainment industries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical; term is common in both varieties with no significant linguistic differences.
Connotations
In British English, it may appear more in tabloid journalism; in American English, it's closely tied to Hollywood culture.
Frequency
Equally frequent in discussions of popular culture and media.
Grammar
How to Use “sex symbol” in a Sentence
be a sex symbolbecome a sex symbolregard someone as a sex symbolVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Seldom used; may appear in entertainment marketing or brand endorsements.
Academic
Used in fields like media studies, sociology to analyze celebrity culture and sexuality.
Everyday
Common in casual conversations about films, actors, and popular culture.
Technical
Not applicable in technical or scientific contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sex symbol”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sex symbol”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sex symbol”
- Using it to describe objects or concepts instead of people.
- Confusing with 'sex appeal', which is the quality, not the person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently; it can be neutral or positive, but may imply objectification in some contexts.
Yes, it can be used retrospectively to describe individuals who were perceived as such in their time.
Typically as a noun phrase, e.g., 'She is regarded as a sex symbol in the film industry.'
While 'sex symbol' is gender-neutral, terms like 'heartthrob' for men or 'bombshell' for women are sometimes used similarly.
A person, typically a celebrity, who is widely perceived as embodying sexual attractiveness and appeal.
Sex symbol is usually informal in register.
Sex symbol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛks ˈsɪmb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛks ˈsɪmbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember: 'SEX' for sexual appeal, 'SYMBOL' for representation; together, a person representing sex appeal.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSON AS ICON (representing an abstract quality like sexuality).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'sex symbol'?