What does intersexual mean?
Intersexual means having or relating to sex characteristics that do not fit categorically as typically male or typically female. It is used in medicine to describe variations in sex development and in social or legal contexts when discussing people who have such variations. The term does not imply a single condition: intersex traits can involve differences in chromosomes, reproductive anatomy, hormones, or combinations of these, and they vary greatly between individuals. Although the prefix inter- literally means “between,” modern usage avoids suggesting that intersex people are simply “between” two sexes; sex characteristics and a person’s gender identity are distinct matters. “Intersex” is now often preferred as a noun or descriptive term, while “intersexual” remains especially useful as an adjective. The language matters because accurate, respectful terminology recognizes the diversity of human sex development without implying that unusual traits are inherently defective or requiring correction.
Having sex characteristics that do not fit categorically as typically male or typically female; relating to intersex people or variations in sex development.
"The hospital has developed a specialist clinic for intersex care."
When used of a person, “intersex” is generally more common, although “intersexual” is fully established and widely understood.
A person with sex characteristics that do not fit categorically as typically male or typically female.
"The organization works with intersex students and their families."
The noun use is established, particularly in medical, legal, and advocacy contexts, but the adjective “intersex” is often preferred in general reference works.
The prefix inter- means “between”: “intersexual” originally described traits perceived as intermediate between typical male and female characteristics, but modern usage centers on people and variations in sex development.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intersexual come from?
The word was formed in English from the prefix inter-, meaning “between,” and sexual, from Latin sexualis, which in turn derives from Latin sexus, “sex” or “kind.” The adjective entered English in the nineteenth century in biological and medical contexts. Its later use in social and advocacy settings shifted attention from supposed intermediate characteristics toward people with variations in sex development.
Related word forms
How intersexual is actually used
This is an umbrella term for a diverse range of human variations in sex characteristics. In contemporary usage, “intersex” is generally preferred when referring to people, while “intersexual” remains common as an adjective. Terms based on outdated ideas of a single intermediate or “mixed” sex are best avoided.
Easily confused with intersexual
“Intersex” is now the more common general term and can function as both an adjective and a noun, whereas “intersexual” is chiefly an adjective.
“Hermaphrodite” is an old biological term that does not accurately describe the diverse range of human sex variations covered by “intersex” and is generally avoided in modern usage.