intersex

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​sex ˈin-tər-ˌseks How to pronounce intersex (audio)
1
: an individual having the condition of intersexuality
2

intersex

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to intersexuality
intersex conditions
also : exhibiting intersexuality
an intersex individual

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The lack of direct research on female and intersex squamates has only created confusion. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2023 For anyone under 80 in Washington, considering the Potomac, intersex and diseased fish, the flotsam and clogged-toilet bacteria come to mind. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 At least one biographer has claimed that Simpson was born with androgen-insensitivity syndrome, an intersex variation. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2023 The measure makes exceptions for intersex infants and for the treatment of conditions unrelated to gender dysphoria. Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2023 In one corner of this country, Neptune (first played by Elvis Ngabo, then Cheryl Isheja) walks through verdant mountains in an attempt to find a place their intersex identity won’t be treated with disgust and judgment. Vulture, 3 June 2022 When an intersex runaway and an escaped coltan miner find each other through cosmic forces, their connection sparks glitches within the greater divine circuitry. Mary Sollosi, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2021 This is perhaps best exemplified by the treatment of intersex individuals. Darren Incorvaia, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021 Gutekanst said the intersex percentage provided was, in fact, inaccurate and used out of context. Jusneel Mahal, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Nov. 2022
Adjective
Individuals who are intersex, for example, can have external genitalia and internal genitalia that differ, and individuals with genetic syndromes can have an extra X or Y chromosome. Allison Whitten, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2020 The question immediately arose: Should the actor playing Sasha be intersex? Trinidad Barleycorn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2022 While both lawsuits and policy efforts are underway to ameliorate the conditions for transgender, non-binary and intersex people behind bars, advocates say lives are at stake. Nora Neus, Cnn Video By Lacey Russell, CNN, 23 June 2021 But more recently, intersex activists have argued that a person should have the legal right to consent to cosmetic surgeries performed on one's own body -- an ability infants do not have. Nora Neus, CNN, 13 Jan. 2020 The measure would have banned all procedures on intersex children 6 and under unless the Medical Board of California deemed them medically necessary. Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2020 Equality California and other supporters argued that intersex people should be able to give consent before undergoing surgeries that carry the risk of medical complications, sterilization and psychological damage. Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, 28 Jan. 2020 The ruling triggered an uproar around athletic and gender activists who felt Semenya was unfairly targeted for being a black, intersex woman. Lindsay Crouse, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2019 Or the Potomac River where sewage and fertilizer runoff has produced a new breed of intersex fish? Max Holleran, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intersex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intersex was circa 1908

Dictionary Entries Near intersex

Cite this Entry

“Intersex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intersex. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

intersex

noun
in·​ter·​sex ˈint-ər-ˌseks How to pronounce intersex (audio)
: an individual that is intermediate in sexual characters between a typical male and a typical female

Medical Definition

intersex

1 of 2 noun
in·​ter·​sex
ˈint-ər-ˌseks
1
: an individual having the condition of intersexuality
2

intersex

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to intersexuality
intersex conditions
also : exhibiting intersexuality
an intersex individual
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY