same-sex
|same-sex|
/ˌseɪmˈsɛks/
of the same sex
Etymology
'same-sex' originates from Modern English, specifically the words 'same' (from Old English 'same'/'sam') and 'sex' (from Latin 'sexus'), where 'same' meant 'identical' and 'sex' referred to the 'state of being male or female'.
'same' comes from Old English 'same'/'sam' meaning 'one, identical'; 'sex' entered English from Latin 'sexus' (via Old French influence) meaning 'the state of being male or female'. These elements were combined in Modern English to form the compound 'same-sex' in the 19th–20th centuries to describe people or relationships of the same sex.
Initially the component words meant 'identical' ('same') and 'male/female category' ('sex'); over time the compound came to mean specifically 'involving people of the same sex', especially in contexts of relationships, marriage, law, and social description.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a relationship or pairing of people who are of the same sex (used in contexts like 'a same-sex' or referring to same-sex couples/relationships).
The law recognizes many forms of same-sex.
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Adjective 1
involving, relating to, or characteristic of people of the same sex (often used of relationships, marriage, attraction, or couple types).
They support same-sex adoption.
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Last updated: 2025/08/19 16:55