intersexual

[ in-ter-sek-shoo-uhlor, especially British, -seks-yoo- ]

adjective

1. existing between the sexes; done or used by both male and female sexes:

   an intersexual tennis competition.

2. intersex ( def 1 ).

intersexual

/ ˌɪntəˈsɛksjʊəl /

adjective

1. occurring or existing between the sexes
2. relating to or being an intersex

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˌsexuˈality, noun
• ˌinterˈsexually, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·sexu·ali·ty inter·sexu·al·ism noun
• inter·sexu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intersexual¹

First recorded in 1865–70; inter- + sexual

Example Sentences

TIJUANA, Mexico – Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender and intersexual migrants from Central America face distinct challenges on their journeys to Tijuana in search of asylum across the border in the United States.

From Seattle Times

As a noun it means “an individual having reproductive organs or external sexual characteristics of both male and female.” Dictionary.com traces its origins back to 1915, as the back formation of “intersexual.”

From Washington Times

Eels are intersexual, meaning they can become either male or female.

From National Geographic

Human rights organizations say physical and verbal attacks against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual community regularly go unpunished and that politicians make homophobic comments during electoral campaigns.

From Reuters

He says that after a "long and tormented period of discernment and prayer", he had taken the decision to "publicly reject the violence of the Church towards homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and intersexual people".

From BBC