What does unisexual mean?
Unisexual is an adjective that commonly means relating to both sexes or suitable for people of any sex. It can describe clothing, facilities, design features, or other things that are not intended for one sex alone. The word has a more specialized meaning in biology, where it may refer to an organism or reproductive process involving only one sex or a single parent. This distinction can be confusing because the two meanings appear to point in opposite directions. In everyday use, however, the central idea is inclusion: something described as unisexual is not limited to male or female users. The term has partly been displaced by the shorter and more familiar unisex, especially in fashion, but unisexual remains useful and recognizable, particularly in formal, historical, and scientific writing.
adjectiveRelating to or involving both sexes, or not restricted to one sex. In biology, it can describe an organism or reproductive process involving only one sex or a single parent.
- Relating to or involving both sexes, or not restricted to one sex.
- In biology, pertaining to an organism or reproductive process involving only one sex or a single parent.
"The charity adopted unisexual uniforms so that all volunteers could wear the same practical outfit."
"The exhibition featured unisexual clothing designed to suit people of different body types."
"The researchers studied a species capable of unisexual reproduction."
A word with a split identity: in general use, unisexual can mean involving both sexes, but in biology it can mean involving only one sex.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unisexual come from?
The English adjective was formed from the combining form uni-, derived from Latin ūnus, meaning “one,” and sexual, which comes through Latin from sexus, meaning “sex.” The compound reflects an older biological vocabulary in which terms distinguished processes involving one sex or parent from those involving two. Its broader modern use for things associated with both sexes developed alongside more general, inclusive descriptions.
Related word forms
How unisexual is actually used
Outside specialist biological writing, unisexual may sound formal or dated; unisex is more common in contemporary usage, especially for clothing and design. In biological contexts, the word should not be confused with bisexual.
Easily confused with unisexual
Unisexual is the less common adjective form, whereas unisex is now standard for clothing, design, and other things intended for people of any sex.
Bisexual usually describes attraction to more than one sex, while unisexual more often describes something involving both sexes or, in biology, involving only one sex.