sex
/seks/ (bre, ipa) · /seks/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈseks/ (ame, mw)
sex — noun
- sexsingular
- sexesplural
1. the physical characteristic that makes a living thing male or female, based on b
the physical characteristic that makes a living thing male or female, based on body parts, chromosomes, and hormones present from birth
The doctor recorded the baby's sex on the birth certificate at the hospital.
collocation: baby's sex
On the form, each student circled whether their sex was male or female.
Some fish species can change their sex naturally during their lifetime in the wild.
A blood test can tell the sex of an unborn baby after a few weeks.
- gender
broader term that includes social and cultural identity, not just biology
- biological sex
explicitly distinguishes from gender identity
用法筆記
This sense refers to biological traits at birth. Distinguish from noun/4 (CATEGORY DIVISION), which focuses on the classification system rather than the physical state itself.
常見錯誤
2. all people who are male, or all people who are female, thought of as a single gr
all people who are male, or all people who are female, thought of as a single group
The law forbids discrimination against any person on the basis of sex.
collocation: discrimination on the basis of sex
The study compared how the two sexes perform in science and mathematics at school.
collocation: the two sexes
Members of the opposite sex could not enter the dormitory after ten at night.
Schools should offer the same sports opportunities to students of both sexes.
- gender
now more common in legal and social contexts for this group sense
- the male sex / the female sex
more explicit but less frequent
用法筆記
Always used with 'the' before 'sex' or a determiner like 'both' ('both sexes', 'the sexes'). Common in formal, legal, and academic writing.
常見錯誤
3. physical activity that involves the touching of sexual body parts, especially be
physical activity that involves the touching of sexual body parts, especially between two people as part of an intimate relationship
The movie contains scenes of sex and violence and is not suitable for children.
register: formal warning context
The school's health class covers topics such as safe sex and how to prevent disease.
collocation: safe sex
Felix and his partner talked openly about sex with their marriage counselor before the wedding.
Many young people receive information about sex from friends rather than from parents or teachers.
- intercourse
more clinical and formal
- sexual intercourse
formal or medical term
- making love
softer, more romantic tone
用法筆記
Frequently used without an article in general discussions. Contrast with noun/1 (BIOLOGICAL STATE) and noun/5 (SEXUAL FEELINGS) — this sense describes the physical act itself.
常見錯誤
4. a category that a living thing belongs to, either male or female, based on how i
a category that a living thing belongs to, either male or female, based on how it produces babies
On the application form, please indicate your sex by ticking one of the boxes provided.
The vet said the sex of young rabbits is hard to tell just by looking.
collocation: sex of [animal]
In many birds, the sex of a chick cannot be told from its feathers alone.
A DNA test can confirm the sex of rare birds in a zoo.
- gender
increasingly preferred for humans, though gender includes identity beyond biology
- sex category
explicitly marks this as a classification concept
用法筆記
This sense names the classification system itself rather than describing a physical state (use noun/1 for that) or a social group (use noun/2). Frequently paired with 'of' to link an organism to its category.
5. the natural human interest in sex, including feelings of desire, thoughts about
the natural human interest in sex, including feelings of desire, thoughts about sex, and how people express themselves sexually
Hollywood movies are full of sex and glamour designed to draw large audiences.
register: entertainment/media context
The advertising campaign used sex to sell everything from perfume to sports cars on television.
collocation: sex sells
Magazines for teenagers frequently include articles about relationships, love, sex, and romance.
Some critics argue that pop music relies too heavily on sex to attract young listeners.
- sexuality
broader term encompassing identity, orientation, and expression
- sexual desire
focuses on the feeling aspect
- eroticism
more formal, often associated with art and literature
用法筆記
This sense describes the psychological and cultural dimension of sex rather than the physical act (noun/3). Common in discussions about media, advertising, and social attitudes.
sex — verb
- sexpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sexes3rd person singular
- sexing-ing form
- sexedpast simple
1. to inspect an animal closely so that you can say what sex it has
to inspect an animal closely so that you can say what sex it has
The farmer learned to sex the chicks by checking their wing feathers.
object: chicks / day-old chicks
A trained specialist can sex the young snakes without causing them any stress.
Researchers had to sex each fish before placing them into separate breeding pools.
The zookeeper showed the students how to sex the adult turtles in the pond.
- determine the sex of
the neutral human-appropriate equivalent
- identify the sex of
more formal, suitable for any species
文法句型
sex + noun phrase (animal type)
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used for animals, particularly in farming, veterinary medicine, and scientific research. Not used for humans — 'determine the sex of' is the human equivalent.
常見錯誤
2. to make a person, product, image, or event seem more sexually exciting or appeal
to make a person, product, image, or event seem more sexually exciting or appealing
The advertising team tried to sex up the brand with younger models and brighter packaging.
phrasal: sex up (make more sexually appealing)
Critics accused the director of trying to sex up the film with unnecessary nude scenes.
The magazine editor decided to sex up the cover story with a more eye-catching photograph.
Some musicians sex up their videos to get more views on social media platforms.
- sex up
the common phrasal verb form; informal
- sensualize
more formal, less common
- sexualize
more neutral; can describe making something sexual without the promotional angle
- tone down
make less sexually explicit
文法句型
sex + noun phrase; often 'sex up'
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the phrasal form 'sex up' (make something more sexually attractive). Often used critically to suggest something is being cheapened or sensationalized.