gender

Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛndər/

noun

Difficulty: common

Definition of gender

gender (noun): The state or condition of being male, female, or another identity, often influenced by social, cultural, and biological factors; classification typically used to describe or organize human identity and roles.

Example: The study explored how societal norms influence perceptions of gender and identity.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "sex" or "identity"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of gender

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: genus

Original meaning: kind, type, class

How it evolved: Initially used to denote classifications of people or things, its meaning expanded in the 15th century to incorporate identity distinctions based on male and female categories, later evolving to include broader social constructs.

The word 'gender' originated from the Latin 'genus,' meaning 'kind' or 'type,' and evolved through Old French to signify classification and identity.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember gender

Remember 'gender' by associating it with 'gen' (generation) and 'der' (division), as it refers to divided or classified identities across generations.

Synonyms for gender

Antonyms of gender

gender in a Sentence

  1. The study explored how societal norms influence perceptions of gender and identity.
  2. Gender roles have evolved significantly over the past century, challenging traditional classifications.
  3. Understanding the intersection of gender and culture is crucial for addressing global inequities.

gender in Literature & Culture

Gender plays a pivotal role in literature and cultural discussions, from Shakespearean plays exploring identity to modern feminist writings analyzing societal roles and expectations.

Usage Notes

Gender is often confused with 'sex,' which refers specifically to biological distinctions. 'Gender' encompasses a broader range of social and psychological attributes and identities.

Why gender Matters for GRE & SAT

Understanding 'gender' is essential for GRE test-takers to interpret passages on sociology, psychology, and cultural studies, where nuanced discussions of identity often appear.

Word Family

genderless (adjective)
Not associated with a specific gender.
gendered (adjective)
Influenced by or associated with a particular gender.
genderization (noun)
The act of assigning gender roles or characteristics.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of gender as a social construct gained prominence in academic discourse during the mid-20th century.
  • In languages like French and Spanish, many nouns are assigned a 'gender,' classified as masculine or feminine.
  • The term 'gender fluid' has gained popularity in recent years, reflecting evolving perspectives on identity.
  • gaffe — a foolish and embarrassing error, especially a public one
  • gainsay — deny or refute an assertion or argument
  • galvanize — To shock or excite someone into taking action
  • garrulous — tending to talk too much; wordy
  • gauche — awkward or lacking in social graces

More Vocabulary Words Starting with G

  • gaffe — a foolish and embarrassing error, especially a public one
  • gaffe — a foolish and embarrassing error, especially a public one
  • gainsay — deny or refute an assertion or argument
  • gainsay — deny or refute an assertion or argument
  • galvanize — To shock or excite someone into taking action
  • galvanize — inspire or stir up to action or heightened activity
  • galvanize — inspire or stir up to action or heightened activity
  • garrulous — tending to talk too much; wordy
  • garrulous — tending to talk too much; wordy
  • gauche — awkward or lacking in social graces