French word

sexe

Pronunciation

IPA/sɛks/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsex

Example

Lors de l'inscription, on vous demandera votre sexe.

During registration, you will be asked your sex.

Illustration for sexe (sex)

More examples

Le médecin a noté le sexe biologique du nouveau-né.

The doctor noted the newborn's biological sex.

Core concept

A biological classification label attached to a body in an official record.

Common phrases

  • le sexe biologique

    biological sex

  • déterminer le sexe

    determine the sex

Similar words

genre: A social and cultural distinction between what is considered masculine and feminine.
identité de genre: A person's sense of which gender they are.

Definition in French

Terme désignant la catégorie biologique (masculin/féminin) attribuée à une personne ou un animal, souvent mentionnée dans les documents officiels.

Word origin

The French noun sexe is inherited from Latin sexus through Old French and has long referred to biological sex in legal and medical contexts.

Usage tips

  • Administrative forms commonly use sexe, whereas genre or identite de genre more often concerns gender identity.

Related words

Word lists with this word