intersex

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​sex ˈin-tər-ˌseks 

1

: an individual having the condition of intersexuality

2

: intersexuality

intersex

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to intersexuality

intersex conditions

also : exhibiting intersexuality

an intersex individual

Examples of intersex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

People who are intersex have genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that don’t fit into the male or female binary. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025

Reyes’ remarks highlighted the ongoing erasure of intersex people from the national firestorm over trans rights, even though laws targeting trans people frequently harm intersex people at the same time. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 20 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Most intersex people are healthy throughout their lives and don’t know about it in the long term. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025

Benitez is intersex, having reproductive parts that don't fit the traditional definition of male or female. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Intersex, probably back-formation from intersexuell intersexual

Note: Intersex was introduced by the German biologist Richard Goldschmidt (1878-1958) in "Vorläufige Mitteilung über weitere Versuche zur Vererbung und Bestimmung des Geschlechts," Biologisches Centralblatt, 53. Band, No. 12 (20. Dezember 1915) pp. 565-70. Goldschmidt used the word in English in a translation of this article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 2, no. 1 (January 15, 1916), pp. 53-58 ("A Preliminary Report on Further Experiments in Inheritance and Determination of Sex").

Adjective

from attributive use of intersex entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intersex

• atriplex
• biconvex
• bottlenecks
• circumflex
• multiplex
• unisex
• annex
• annexe
• apex
• aztecs
• carex
• codecs

Kids Definition

intersex

noun

in·​ter·​sex ˈint-ər-ˌseks 

: an individual that is intermediate in sexual characteristics 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

: intersexuality

intersex

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to intersexuality

intersex conditions

also : exhibiting intersexuality

an intersex individual