Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
secondary sex character

secondary sex character

7.4
A physical feature that differs between males and females, like body hair or a deep voice
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛkəndɛri sɛks ˈkɛrɪktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rasgo sexual secundario
  • Facial hair is a secondary sex character that usually appears in males during puberty.

Examples

  • The development of a deeper voice is considered a secondary sex character in humans.

  • Differences in musculature between men and women are examples of secondary sex characters.

  • The secondary sex character of males includes facial hair.

  • She noticed her secondary sex characters developing during puberty.

  • Facial hair is a secondary sex character that typically develops in males during adolescence.

  • The development of a deeper voice is a notable secondary sex character that distinguishes adult men from women.

  • During puberty, physical changes such as increased body hair are examples of secondary sex characters associated with gender.

Synonyms

secondary sexual characteristic
vssecondary sex character
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A body change at puberty that shows sex, like body hair and a deeper voice

is genetically determined rather than defined by development timing
secondary sex characteristic
vssecondary sex character
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A physical change during puberty that shows male or female differences and does not help make babies

is described by genetic determination rather than development timing

Surface Forms

secondary sex character singular
secondary sex characters plural

Morphology

secondary + sex + character

The meaning is directly compositional: 'secondary' (not primary) + 'sex' (biological male/female) + 'character' (trait) yields 'a non-primary trait related to biological sex.' Although somewhat technical, the components combine in a straightforward, cross-linguistically familiar way, so a B1 learner who knows the words can reasonably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Secondary sex character comes from the idea that some features are secondary ('second' or not the main), they show sex (being male or female), and a character is a visible feature. These are not the body parts used for 'making babies' but signs like facial hair or a deeper voice, so the name explains why they show sex without being for 'reproduction'.