intersex

[ in-ter-seks ]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a person, animal, or plant having reproductive organs, genitals, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female; intersexual:

   The counselor often talks about his experience as an intersex person.

   All clownfish are intersex.

noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a person, animal, or plant having reproductive organs, genitals, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female.
2. Also called in·ter·sex·u·al·i·ty [in-ter-sek-shoo-, al, -i-tee]. the state of having genitals, reproductive organs, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female:

   It's important to talk openly about intersex in order to reduce stigma.

intersex

/ ˈɪntəˌsɛks /

noun

1. the condition of having characteristics intermediate between those of a male and a female
2. See hermaphrodite, gynandromorph
   an individual, esp a person, exhibiting such physiological characteristics Compare gynandromorph hermaphrodite hermaphrodite

Sensitive Note

Intersex is a broad label describing variations in sex characteristics that do not fit into the male-female binary. Like anyone else, a person with any of these characteristics may identify as a man, a woman, or any other gender. Furthermore, a person's sex characteristics may or may not influence their gender or their relationship with their gender. Different people may also prefer different terminology. Terms like disorders of sex development, differences of sex development or variations in sex characteristics are somewhat more common in medical contexts compared to the older term intersex condition, and some people prefer to use them to discuss their personal experiences. Others, however, do prefer the term intersex, especially when talking about the people with these conditions rather than the specific medical conditions themselves: Intersex activists recently won a victory with a ruling against infant genital surgeries. This book about intersex experiences is by an intersex person. The use of intersex as a noun (e.g., an intersex ) rather than an adjective (e.g., an intersex person ) when describing someone who has a difference of sex development is often considered offensive. The older term hermaphrodite is extremely offensive except when used in self-reference. As with most identity labels, it is best to ask for an individual person's preference when referring to them. See gender ¹( def ). sex ¹( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of intersex¹

First recorded in 1915–20; back formation from intersexual

Example Sentences

This builds on the 2019 decision to exclude South Africa’s Caster Semenya, who was ruled to be intersex and forced to take testosterone suppressants to continue to compete.

From Washington Post

The State Department, according to Blinken, has also begun the process to allow people who identify as non-binary, intersex or gender non-conforming to choose a gender-neutral gender marker for their passports and CRBAs.

From Washington Blade

David initially deferred to medical experts and noted sex and gender can be different concepts, but then concluded “it’s not limited to two,” citing for example people who are intersex.

From Washington Blade

For the future, more legal changes are necessary to protect intersex children.

From Washington Blade

Throughout the world, intersex children are still subjected to unnecessary medical interventions to change their sex characteristics when they are too young to decide for themselves.

From Washington Blade

Now that the public is aware of your intersex status, do you fear that will change your relationship with him?

From The Daily Beast

I feel like I have this opportunity to turn this into something good and teach people about intersex.

From The Daily Beast

Ignorance about the existence of persons with intersex conditions is hardly limited to the religious.

From The Daily Beast

The truth is that intersex just might be the silver bullet in the culture wars about sex and gender.

From The Daily Beast

The power of intersex bodies is their ability to disrupt social norms.

From The Daily Beast