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sex act

sex act

25 3.7
Sexual activity between people, often intercourse
  • noun
  • /sɛks ækt/
  • NSFW
: acto sexual
  • My wife and I had not performed the sex act in many years.
  • number of sex acts
  • sex acts per partner
  • unprotected sex acts

And in particular, the rough sex was actually just being rougher during the sex act, thrusting harder, penetrating further.

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Examples

  • The couple decided to explore new ways to enhance their intimacy through the sex act.

  • Dworkin has conceptualized the sex act itself as a humiliation for women.

    Academic text (2000)
  • It's amazing to me how often God is brought into the sex act.

  • It's just the man, the sex act, and the pregnancy.

  • Surely the minimum number of sex acts per year depends on the number of partners per year.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Discussion should be held beforehand as to what types of sex acts are acceptable.

    Blog text (8)
  • Straight, gay or bi, there's a new sex act just waiting for you.

  • Lawrence v. Texas decriminalized sodomy, thereby protecting same-sex sex acts in the private sphere.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Such things as spiked heels, fishnet stockings and tassels add an exotic and forbidden aura to the sex act

  • They spoke openly about the importance of consent in any sex act to ensure both partners feel comfortable.

Synonyms

intercourse
vssex act
  • NSFW
108 7.8

Sex that involves a man's penis entering a woman's vagina

uses a broader meaning for sexual acts beyond this typical culminating form
relation
vssex act
  • NSFW
67 8.3

Sex between people

is the common description for sexual acts rather than this formal usage
sexual activity
vssex act
  • NSFW
38 3.0

Physical acts between people, like touching or having sex, that give pleasure

is about one specific sexual act rather than a range of arousing behaviours
sexual intercourse
vssex act
  • NSFW
34 3.2

An act in which one person's penis enters another person's vagina

is the broader act of sexual behaviour, not only this specific physical form
coitus
vssex act
  • NSFW
9 8.5

An act in which a man puts his penis into a woman's vagina

is a general sexual act term that can cover more than that specific action
copulation
vssex act
  • NSFW
7 8.2

Sex in which a male inserts his penis into a female's vagina

is the general label for sexual acts rather than this technical description
sexual congress
vssex act
  • NSFW
3 7.5

To have sex with someone

is similar but framed as the general category of sexual behaviour
carnal knowledge
vssex act
  • NSFW
2 8.3

Sex between people, usually meaning one person entering another, used in legal texts

is the everyday act description and not focused on legal usage or evidence
sex activity
vssex act
  • NSFW
2 3.1

Private actions between people that involve touching for pleasure

is focused on a single act of sexual behaviour rather than general actions
coition
vssex act
  • NSFW
1 9.9

Sex when a man's penis goes into a woman's vagina

is a more general act term that may include other sexual behaviours

How Sexual

sexual intercourse
  • NSFW
34 3.2
sex act
  • NSFW
25 3.7
sexual activity
  • NSFW
38 3.0
petting
  • NSFW
6 7.1
kissing
  • NSFW
157 1.0
flirting
37 3.5

Surface Forms

sex act singular
sex acts plural

Morphology

sex + act

The meaning 'an act involving sexual activity' is directly and compositionally derived from 'sex' (sexual activity) + 'act' (a deed/action). This is a literal noun-noun combination following transparent compounding patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Sex act comes from joining sex, meaning sexual activity, and act, meaning an action. So it is a simple name for 'an action involving sexual activity' and is often used in law and in sexual education when people need a clear, neutral term.