common gender
Americannoun
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in English, a noun that is the same whether it is referring to either gender, such as cat, people, spouse.
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in some languages, such as Latin, a noun that may be masculine or feminine, but not neuter.
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in some languages, such as Danish, a noun derived from a masculine or feminine word but separate from a neuter form.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For example, the most common gender identity written in by the students was "genderfluid," which was given by more than 40% of the write-ins.
From Salon • Sep. 12, 2022
I was given opportunity to present to our comparatively small public the freshly minted words, die, chis, and chim, as common gender pronouns, designed to avoid certain awkward situations frequently arising in English composition.
From Time Magazine Archive
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In the second period, that of Old Danish, bringing us down to 1400, the change of the system of vowels begins to be settled, and masculine and feminine are mingled in a common gender.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various
The noun "angel" being of common gender suits the case admirably, and the epithet is sure of being favorably received.
From Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka)
Words of common gender are exclusively used as applied to the qualification of Senators.
From Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 7 by Holley, Marietta
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.