intersex

[ in-ter-seks ]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a person, animal, or plant having reproductive organs, genitals, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female; intersexual:

   The counselor often talks about his experience as an intersex person.

   All clownfish are intersex.

noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a person, animal, or plant having reproductive organs, genitals, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female.
2. Also called in·ter·sex·u·al·i·ty [in-ter-sek-shoo-, al, -i-tee]. the state of having genitals, reproductive organs, hormones, or chromosomal patterns that do not fall under typical definitions of male and female:

   It's important to talk openly about intersex in order to reduce stigma.

intersex

/ ˈɪntəˌsɛks /

noun

1. the condition of having characteristics intermediate between those of a male and a female
2. an individual, esp a person, exhibiting such physiological characteristics Compare gynandromorph hermaphrodite hermaphrodite

Sensitive Note

Intersex is a broad label describing variations in sex characteristics that do not fit into the male-female binary. Like anyone else, a person with any of these characteristics may identify as a man, a woman, or any other gender. Furthermore, a person's sex characteristics may or may not influence their gender or their relationship with their gender. Different people may also prefer different terminology. Terms like disorders of sex development, differences of sex development or variations in sex characteristics are somewhat more common in medical contexts compared to the older term intersex condition, and some people prefer to use them to discuss their personal experiences. Others, however, do prefer the term intersex, especially when talking about the people with these conditions rather than the specific medical conditions themselves: Intersex activists recently won a victory with a ruling against infant genital surgeries. This book about intersex experiences is by an intersex person. The use of intersex as a noun (e.g., an intersex ) rather than an adjective (e.g., an intersex person ) when describing someone who has a difference of sex development is often considered offensive. The older term hermaphrodite is extremely offensive except when used in self-reference. As with most identity labels, it is best to ask for an individual person's preference when referring to them. See gender ¹( def ). sex ¹( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of intersex¹

First recorded in 1915–20; back formation from intersexual

Example Sentences

Amanda Swager, a chemistry teacher at Chino High School who said they were intersex, said “these sideshows, these resolutions do absolutely nothing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Khelif was raised as and identifies as a woman and is not transgender nor intersex.

From Salon

There is no suggestion that Khelif identifies as transgender or intersex.

From BBC

TransLatin@ Coalition, which provides services to transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people, was targeted by multiple bomb threats this year.

From Los Angeles Times

If the temperature hits a sweet spot, they become intersex — both male and female — yet still capable of bearing offspring.

From Salon