What does "sex" mean?
A category into which sexually-reproducing organisms are divided on the basis of their reproductive roles in their species; the system of such categories, which can differ by organism or by taxonomic branch.
Sex
/sɛks/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A category into which sexually-reproducing organisms are divided on the basis of their reproductive roles in their species; the system of such categories, which can differ by organism or by taxonomic branch.
- Grammar: sex is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: act of love, admiration, adoration, adultery.
- Useful contrasts: asexuality, gender, undetermined sex.
- Usage evidence: He doesn't want you to tell him about your sex life.
How to use "sex"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sex" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sex" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sex" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sex" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sex" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "act of love" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sex", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A category into which sexually-reproducing organisms are divided on the basis of their reproductive roles in their species; the system of such categories, which can differ by organism or by taxonomic branch. countable
"The effect of the medication is dependent upon age, sex, and other factors."
- 2 Alternative form of sect. alt-of, alternative, obsolete
- 3 activities associated with sexual intercourse wordnet
- 4 Another category, especially of humans and especially based on sexuality or gender roles. countable
"Still there are some loop-holes out of which a man may creep, and dare to think and act for himself; but for a woman it is an herculean task, because she has difficulties peculiar to her sex to overcome, which require almost super-human powers."
- 5 the properties that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive roles wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 The members of such a category, taken collectively. countable
"It was a weakness / In me, but incident to all our sex."
- 7 all of the feelings resulting from the urge to gratify sexual impulses wordnet
- 8 The distinction and relation between these categories, especially in humans; gender. uncountable
"A lot of women now like men to pay for them on dates... We've dealt with the outdated view of sex underpinning this."
- 9 either of the two categories (male or female) into which most organisms are divided wordnet
- 10 Women; the human female gender and those who belong to it. literary, obsolete, uncountable, with-definite-article
"The sex of Venice are undoubtedly of a distinguished beauty."
- 11 Sexual activity, usually sexual intercourse unless preceded by a modifier. uncountable
"We marry in fear and trembling, sex for a home is the woman's traffic, and the man comes to his heart's desire when his heart's desire is dead."
- 12 Genitalia: a penis or vagina/vulva. countable, euphemistic, slang
"Another ha's gon through with the bargain... One that will find the way to her Sex, before you'le come to kissing her hand."
Verb
- 1 To determine the sex of (an animal). transitive
"If we sex the cattle, which is the only way to get at their value, we shall have... 400 cows, 200 yearling heifers."
- 2 tell the sex (of young chickens) wordnet
- 3 To have sex with. US, colloquial, transitive
"As good as Muddah had handled me in bed, sexing her hadn't done a damn thing to take my mind off my cousin Smoove."
- 4 to evoke sexual feelings wordnet
- 5 To have sex. US, colloquial, intransitive
"Our baby is eighteen months old now, and cries when we sex"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"He doesn't want you to tell him about your sex life."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sex"?
Common synonyms include: act of love, admiration, adoration, adultery, affection, agape.
How do you use "sex" in a sentence?
He doesn't want you to tell him about your sex life.
How do you pronounce "sex"?
Pronounced /sɛks/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sek-der. Proto-Indo-European *séksusder. Proto-Italic *seksus Latin sexusder. Old French sexeder. Middle English sexe English sex From Middle English sexe (“sex [distinction between male and female] and gender”), from Old French sexe (“genitals; gender”), from Latin sexus (“gender; gender traits; males or females; genitals”), from Proto-Italic *seksus, from Proto-Indo-European *séksus, from *sek- (“to cut, cut off, sever”), thus meaning "section, division" (into male and female). Usage for women influenced by Middle French le sexe (“women”) (attested in 1580). Usage for third and additional sexes calqued from French troisième sexe, referring to masculine women in 1817 and homosexuals in 1847. First used by Lord Byron and others in English in reference to Catholic clergy. Usage for sexual intercourse first attested in 1899 (in the writings of H. G. Wells).
Etymology 2
From sect.