single-sex
SING-guhl-seks
/ˈsɪŋ.ɡəl.sɛks/
Designed for or restricted to members of one gender only.
Emphasizes the complete structural exclusion of the opposite sex within an educational or social setting.
The story behind the word. A compound combining 'single' (from Latin 'singulus' meaning individual) and 'sex' (from Latin 'sexus'). It gained widespread currency in the mid-20th century to distinguish traditional non-mixed schools from coeducational institutions.
Word relationships
- single-gender: Virtually identical, though single-gender is often preferred in modern sociological literature.
- coeducational: Refers to educating both sexes together in the same institution.
Commonly confused with
- unisex: Unisex means suitable for both sexes, whereas single-sex means restricted to only one.
Collocations
- single-sex school
- single-sex environment
- single-sex education
Example sentences
- "Proponents argue that single-sex schooling helps students focus without the distraction of gender dynamics." School choice debate
Memory hook
SINGLE gender under one roof. One sex per school.
When not to use
Avoid using to describe biological characteristics; it describes institutional or social organization.
Fun facts
- Single-sex independent schools remain prominent in modern British secondary education.
Related words
Explore more words
segregation, segregate, solitary, exclusivity, specialized, discriminatory
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