degenderize

[ dee-jen-duh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·gen·der·ized, de·gen·der·iz·ing.

1. to free from any association with or dependence on gender:

   After degenderizing employment policies, gender parity at the company increased significantly.

2. to rid of unnecessary reference to gender or of prejudice toward a particular gender: I'm trying to remember to degenderize my vocabulary by using terms like mail carrier instead of mailman.

   The switch to “they” instead of “he” to talk about hypothetical people is part of the ongoing attempt to degenderize textbooks.

   I'm trying to remember to degenderize my vocabulary by using terms like mail carrier instead of mailman.

Word History and Origins

Origin of degenderize¹

de- + gender ¹ + -ize