sex

 
Pronunciation: /sɛks/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] (chiefly with reference to people) sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse: he enjoyed talking about sex she didn’t want to have sex with him
  • [in singular] euphemistic a person’s genitals.
  • 2either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions: adults of both sexes
  • [mass noun] the fact of belonging to either the male or female sex: direct discrimination involves treating someone less favourably on the grounds of their sex
  • the group of all members of either the male or female sex: she was well known for her efforts to improve the social condition of her sex

verb

[with object]
  • 1determine the sex of: each bird would need to be individually sexed
  • 2 (sex something up) informal present something in a more interesting or lively way.
  • 3 (sex someone up) informal arouse or attempt to arouse someone sexually.

Derivatives

sexer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting the two categories, male and female): from Old French sexe or Latin sexus

On the difference in use between the words sex (in sense 2 above) and gender, see gender (usage).