sex

/seks/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

  1. Noun:

    • The state of being male or female: The classification of living things, especially animals and humans, based on their biological and physiological characteristics related to reproduction.
    • The male or female division of a species: Either of the two main categories (male and female) into which organisms are divided.
    • Sexual intercourse: The physical activity in which people engage for reproduction or pleasure, involving direct sexual contact.
    • Sexual feelings or behavior: The emotions, desires, and activities connected with the physical attraction between people.

  2. Verb:

    • To determine the sex of: To identify whether a young animal, especially a bird, is male or female.
    • To arouse sexually: To stimulate someone's sexual interest or feelings.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The form asked for my name, age, and sex. (The form asked for my name, age, and gender.)
    • The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. (The law prohibits discrimination based on gender.)
    • The movie was criticized for its graphic depictions of sex and violence. (The movie was criticized for its explicit scenes of sexual activity and violence.)
    • They are researching the mating sex of insects. (They are researching the reproductive behaviors of insects.)

  • Verb:

    • An expert can sex day-old chicks with high accuracy. (An expert can determine the gender of day-old chicks with high accuracy.)
    • The novel's sensual descriptions were clearly intended to sex up the plot. (The novel's sensual descriptions were clearly meant to make the plot more sexually arousing.)
Advanced Usage
  • "the fair sex" / "the gentler sex": (idiomatic, often considered dated or patronizing) Women collectively.
    • The novel explores the attitudes of the 19th century towards the fair sex.
  • "the opposite sex": People of the other gender.
    • He found it difficult to talk to members of the opposite sex.
  • "sex appeal": The quality of being sexually attractive.
    • The actor was known more for his sex appeal than his acting skill.
  • "sex up" (phrasal verb): To make something more exciting, appealing, or sexually suggestive.
    • The report was sexed up to make it more compelling to readers.
Variants and Related Words
  • Sexual (adj): Relating to sex, sexuality, or the physical distinction between male and female.
    • They were involved in a sexual relationship.
  • Sexuality (n): The quality or state of being sexual; a person's sexual orientation or preferences.
    • The course discussed human sexuality.
  • Sexism (n): Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender.
    • The company's policies were accused of institutional sexism.
  • Sexless (adj): Lacking sexual desire, activity, or attractiveness; not characterized by sex.
    • They had a sexless marriage.
Synonyms
  • Gender (noun, for the social/cultural aspects of male/female identity; often used interchangeably with 'sex' for the biological aspect in informal contexts).
  • Intercourse / Copulation (noun, for the act of sexual union).
  • Arouse (verb, as a synonym for the verb meaning 'to stimulate sexually').
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Sex up: To make something more interesting, exciting, or sexually provocative.
    • The director sexed up the original script to attract a younger audience.
Related Idioms
  • War between the sexes: The conflict or competition for power between men and women in society.
    • The comedy film was a classic tale of the war between the sexes.
  • Have sex (with): To engage in sexual intercourse.
    • The couple decided to have sex for the first time.
Noun
  1. the properties that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive roles
    • she didn't want to know the sex of the foetus
  2. all of the feelings resulting from the urge to gratify sexual impulses
    • he wanted a better sex life
    • the film contained no sex or violence
  3. either of the two categories (male or female) into which most organisms are divided
    • the war between the sexes
  4. activities associated with sexual intercourse
    • they had sex in the back seat
Verb
  1. tell the sex (of young chickens)
  2. stimulate sexually
    • This movie usually arouses the male audience

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "sex"

Từ có nhắc đến "sex"