sex

noun

(uncountable) Sexual activity, usually sexual intercourse unless preceded by a modifier.

(countable) 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) Another category, especially of humans and especially based on sexuality or gender roles.

(uncountable) The distinction and relation between these categories, especially in humans; gender.

(countable) The members of such a category, taken collectively.

(countable, euphemistic or slang) Genitalia: a penis or vagina/vulva.

(obsolete or literary, uncountable, with "the") Women; the human female gender and those who belong to it.

(obsolete) Alternative form of sect. [An offshoot of a larger religion or denomination.]

verb

(chiefly US, colloquial, intransitive) To have sex.

(chiefly US, colloquial, transitive) To have sex with.

(zoology, transitive) To determine the sex of (an animal).

Roots

sexussex- · Latin · sex, gender

Synonyms for sex

sexualadj intercoursen lovemakingn coitusn coitionn copulationn oversexedadj eroticadj gamicadj procreationn erotogenicadj

Synonyms & related words for sex

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of sex — including sexual, intercourse, lovemaking, coitus, coition, copulation. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to sex

Explore words related to sex — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include sexuality, gender, outercourse, unsexual, sexually, coital, nookie, cybersex. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for sex

Common synonyms for sex include sexual, intercourse, lovemaking, coitus, coition, copulation, oversexed, erotic — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does sex come from?

The word sex breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root sex-, from Latin sexus (“sex, gender”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.