Definition

The condition where a person has physical characteristics of both male and female sexes, making it difficult to classify them strictly as one gender.

Example

Intersexuality can manifest in various ways, affecting an individual's physical traits and reproductive anatomy.

Conversation

I read an interesting article about intersexuality the other day.

Oh really? What did it say?

It explained how some people have both male and female physical features.

That's fascinating! I didn't know it was such a complex issue.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Intersexuality → It is formed from "inter-" (meaning between) and "sexualis" (from Latin, meaning of or pertaining to sex). The term describes a condition relating to individuals whose physical sex characteristics do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies, thus existing 'between' these categories.

Memory Tip

Think of 'between' ('inter-') and 'pertaining to sex' ('sexualis') to remember that intersexuality refers to conditions that exist between traditional male and female classifications.

Visually Confused Words