English Reference
Noun

intersex

n.
C1 Advanced in·ter·sex UK spelling intersexes Biology Zoology

n.describes a person whose biological sex is not clearly male or female. This can happen because of physical traits or genetic factors that do not fit the typical patterns.

n.refers to a person whose biological sex is not clearly male or female, often due to physical or genetic characteristics that do not conform to typical binary classifications.


SIMPLE

The doctor explained that the baby was intersex.

CONTEXTUAL

In many cultures, intersex individuals have historically been treated as a third gender or been assigned a sex at birth without their consent.

COMPLEX

The study highlights the genetic diversity found in intersex animals, showing how natural variation can lead to physical traits that do not fit into the traditional male-female binary.

Collectively, intersex variations occur in 0.2% to 6% of the population , depending on which variations you choose to count.

Phys.org· 19 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated