ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sexy

adj.
US //ˈsɛksi// UK //sˈɛksi// sexy
  1. 1 exciting or trendy (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    exciting, interesting, or fashionable.

    metaphorically applied to objects, projects, or ideas that are trendy, intriguing, or likely to generate significant public interest.

    Example

    The company is looking for a sexy new design for their smartphone.

    Example

    The marketing team struggled to make the data-storage software sound sexy to potential investors during the pitch.
  2. 2 prime numbers (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Humorous Math

    describes two prime numbers that have a difference of six.

    referring to a pair or group of prime numbers that differ from each other by six.

    Example

    The numbers 5 and 11 are an example of a sexy prime pair.

    Example

    In number theory, sexy primes are pairs of prime numbers such as 13 and 19 that maintain a constant difference of six.

    Usage

    Used as a pun on the Latin word 'sex' for six.

Etymology 1

From sex + -y.

Etymology 2

From Latin sex (“six”) + -y, intended as a pun.

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