Word
intercourse
Phoneticsin·ter·course, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnɝˌkɔɹs/
UK/ˌɪntəkˈɔːs/
Definitions
01sexual activity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine Formal · Technical
n. the formal or medical name for sex.
n. sexual contact between individuals, typically referring to coitus. Often used in medical, legal, or formal sociological contexts.
“The doctor explained how the virus can be spread through sexual intercourse.”
“The study examined the correlation between the frequency of sexual intercourse and overall cardiovascular health in middle-aged participants.”
Usage
Usually uncountable, though 'an act of intercourse' is common in legal writing.
Teaching tip
In modern daily English, this is the most common meaning. Using it to mean 'conversation' can lead to unintended humor or confusion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02social or business connection
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Academic
n. the exchange of ideas, conversation, or business between people or countries.
n. social, commercial, or intellectual communication and dealings between individuals, groups, or nations.
Español:conversación
“The two islands had very little social intercourse because of the rough seas between them.”
“The treaty was designed to encourage free commercial intercourse between the neighboring states after decades of closed borders.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'between' or 'with'.
Teaching tip
This sense is common in 19th-century literature and modern academic history, but rare in casual speech.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“She said she had had a medical condition that in the late 1980s had not been diagnosed and had made sexual intercourse difficult and painful for her.” “In 1984, Berry-Dee was arrested and charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, but the case was dropped when the prosecution offered no evidence.” Etymology
Various theories; see Wikipedia article.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/intercourse
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0