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opposite sex
[ op-uh-zit seks, op-uh-sit ]
/ ˈɒp ə zɪt ˈsɛks, ˈɒp ə sɪt /
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noun
Often the opposite sex . women in reference to men or men in reference to women: Do you have many friends of the opposite sex?
adjective
Usually opposite-sex . of or relating to two or more persons of different genders: The study is about relationships between children and their opposite-sex parents.Opposite-sex marriage is more normalized than same-sex marriage.
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Origin of opposite sex
First recorded in 1710–30
usage note for opposite sex
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.
Words nearby opposite sex
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use opposite sex in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for opposite sex
opposite sex
noun
the opposite sex women in relation to men or men in relation to women
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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