gentle sex

or gentler sex

noun

, Older Use: Sometimes Offensive.

1. women in general (usually used facetiously):

   courtesy toward the gentle sex.

Sensitive Note

This is a dated term, usually used for humorous effect but sometimes perceived as condescending to women. It makes reference to a stereotype of women’s basic nature, namely that women are gentle in comparison to men.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentle sex¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

Or “Can we experiment with softer, more gentle sex?”

From Slate

The scenes of sexual violence feel relevant, raw and true to life, and they are effectively contrasted against scenes of consensual, if rarely gentle, sex.

From Los Angeles Times

"You are the gentle sex," said Lord Karstark, with the lines of grief fresh on his face.

From Literature

It is easy to buy into the cultural stereotype of “the gentle sex,” but it simply isn’t true.

From Scientific American

Beechey says Eliza "gives as good as she gets" and triumphs by becoming independent of Higgins, who thought - not having any understanding of the gentle sex - that if he pulled the guttersnipe out of the gutter he could control her, too.

From Reuters