opposite sex

[ op-uh-zit seks, op-uh-sit ]

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?

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

noun

1. the opposite sex
   women in relation to men or men in relation to women

Usage Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposite sex¹

First recorded in 1710–30

Example Sentences

When I finally found out about this hiking trip and indicated my discomfort, he stated that he would have no problem with my going away with a friend of the opposite sex.

From Washington Post

Women in the Facebook group recalled childhood warnings from parents and teachers that wearing revealing clothing would tempt the opposite sex.

From Washington Post

Conversion therapies tend to legitimise abuse and may also include abduction or forced marriage where people may be forcibly taken from their homes and either forced to undergo conversion treatment or marry a member of the opposite sex.

From No Straight News

Intimate partner violence occurs in same-sex couples at rates equal to or even higher than the rates in opposite sex partners.

From Time

As a result, the right combination of triggers can switch an individual creature’s behavior to that of the opposite sex.

From Quanta Magazine

How am I supposed to refer to a person of the opposite sex whom I am not married to but who is, well, “special”?

From The Daily Beast

And they voted the death penalty, no question about that, for the rape of a minor whether of the same or opposite sex.

From The Daily Beast

In contrast, we found several research projects that compared much larger numbers of children in same and opposite-sex households.

From The Daily Beast

The Ghostbusters are often constricted by their refusal to understand the opposite sex.

From The Daily Beast

South Korea has even redefined the word “love” to mean only “a feeling or affection for a person of the opposite sex.”

From The Daily Beast

As regards his sexual sensibilities in general, he is by no means indifferent to members of the opposite sex.

From Project Gutenberg

The mere association of the child with persons of the opposite sex provides such stimuli.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence it may be implied that Mr. Ditmar's experiences with the opposite sex had been on a property basis.

From Project Gutenberg

But now he reminded her of nothing save of a young human animal of the opposite sex.

From Project Gutenberg

Two beings of the opposite sex merely discussing great Social Problems—ha ha!

From Project Gutenberg