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