opposite sex

American  

[op-uh-zit seks, op-uh-sit] / ˈɒp ə zɪt ˈsɛks, ˈɒp ə sɪt /

noun

1. Often the opposite sex women in reference to men or men in reference to women.

   Do you have many friends of the opposite sex?

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adjective

1. Usually opposite-sex of or relating to two or more persons of different genders: Opposite-sex marriage is more normalized than same-sex marriage.

   The study is about relationships between children and their opposite-sex parents.

   Opposite-sex marriage is more normalized than same-sex marriage.

opposite sex British  

noun

1. women in relation to men or men in relation to women

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Usage

The phrase opposite sex relies on an assumption that men and women are indeed opposites. This upholds a binary view of gender, and also usually conflates sex and gender, both of which may be considered controversial. A less binary version of the phrase is other genders.

Etymology

Origin of opposite sex

First recorded in 1710–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

opposite sex

No girl should be forced to change in front of a boy or share such intimate spaces with the opposite sex.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

She would be the person opting out of demands to dress, look and behave a certain way to appease the opposite sex.

From Salon ● May 20, 2026

"Women's experiences of the opposite sex on dating apps is a feeling of fear and lack of trust," she says.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2025

But statutes forced people to live in the sex they were assigned at birth by, for instance, barring them from dressing as the opposite sex.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2025

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s having my mom pry into my social activities, especially on those rare occasions when they involve a member of the opposite sex.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx