genital

IPA/ˈdʒenɪtl/
KK[dʒˈɛnətəl]IPA/ˈdʒenɪtl/

genital — adjective

  • genitalpositive
  • more genitalcomparative
  • most genitalsuperlative

1. relating to the visible body parts involved in sex and reproduction — for exampl

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

relating to the visible body parts involved in sex and reproduction — for example, the penis in males and the vulva in females

Example

The doctor examined the patient's genital area for any signs of infection.

collocation: genital area

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus.

collocation: genital herpes

Common collocations
  • genital area
  • genital region
  • genital organs
  • genital herpes
  • genital infection
  • genital development
Synonyms
  • reproductive

    broader in scope; refers to the whole reproductive system including internal organs

  • sexual

    much broader and less clinical; covers attraction, activity, and identity, not limited to anatomy

Grammar Patterns

genital + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position) in formal medical or health-related contexts. In casual conversation, speakers often choose less clinical alternatives such as 'private parts' or 'down there' instead.

Common Mistakes

She felt pain in her genital.
She felt pain in her genital area.
'genital' is an adjective and needs to be followed by a noun such as 'area,' 'region,' or 'organs.'

Word family

  • genitals
    noun (plural)B2
  • genitalia
    noun (plural / formal)C1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words relate to sex and biology, but they cover different ground. 'Genital' is the most specific and clinical, referring strictly to the visible external sex organs (penis, vulva) and the region around them — you would use it in a doctor's office or a biology textbook. 'Reproductive' is broader: it covers the entire system involved in producing offspring, including internal organs such as the ovaries, uterus, and testes. 'Sexual' is the broadest and least clinical of the three, encompassing attraction, identity, behaviour, and anatomy. In everyday speech, 'I have a pain in my genital area' sounds medical, while 'I have a pain in my sexual organs' sounds awkwardly technical, and 'reproductive organs' would be the standard term in a sex-education class.

genital ↗reproductive ↗sexual ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'genitalis' meaning 'relating to generation or birth', which comes from 'gignere' meaning 'to beget, produce, give birth'. The core idea of producing offspring runs through the word's history. English adopted it directly from Latin in the late 14th century as a medical term.