English Reference
Adjective

gendered

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈdʒɛndɝd/ UK /dʒˈɛndəd/ gen·dered Linguistics

adj.describing something that is connected to being male or female, or that treats men and women differently.

adj.reflecting or biased toward the social or cultural distinctions between sexes. Often used to describe language, roles, or expectations that are not neutral regarding sex.


SIMPLE

The teacher avoided using gendered language in the classroom.

CONTEXTUAL

Sociologists study how gendered expectations in childhood can influence the career paths people choose later in life.

COMPLEX

The debate over gendered pronouns in formal writing highlights a shift toward more inclusive linguistic standards that aim to decouple grammatical structures from binary social categories.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; often appears in academic or social justice contexts.

They don’t participate in conventional family units or rigid gendered expectations.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

Even so, in a show with heart, Govindan details her desire to shatter generational and gendered expectations, placing emphasis on her right to just be her silly self.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated