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

Certainly, DeGeneres' audience is aware of the stark gender discrepancies in how bosses of the opposite sex are treated and expected to act — she doesn't need to lecture them on this front.

From Salon

Cox tries to bothsides the issue, writing, "Men and women who have ever been hurt or mistreated by the opposite sex more readily make their pain public, and their personal grievances become politicized."

From Salon

Nearly three and a half decades after “When Harry Met Sally” became an instant classic it’s either a settled argument, since so many people have platonic friendships with members of the opposite sex, or impossible to agree on.

From Salon

Even when films were expressly designed to provoke desire in the opposite sex, artists from Marlene Dietrich to Rock Hudson couldn’t help but bring their lived experience as queer people to their performances.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr. Cass also recommended that testosterone and estrogen, which allow young people to develop the physical characteristics of the opposite sex, be prescribed with “extreme caution.”

From New York Times