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

Examples of intersex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As an intersex character, Ponyboi struggles with living in a world asking him to choose within the binary. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 Dramatic Competition and written by Gallo, its intersex lead who uses they/them pronouns, Ponyboi revises the crime drama by putting forward an unconventional protagonist with a lot of heart and a little humor. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intersex 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intersex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

intersex

noun
in·​ter·​sex ˈint-ər-ˌseks How to pronounce intersex (audio)
: 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

intersex

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to intersexuality
intersex conditions
also : exhibiting intersexuality
an intersex individual
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