Gender Studies Vocabulary

noun a place where people engage in sexual activity for payment

• The bordello was shut down by local authorities due to illegal activities.
• I heard there's a new bordello opening up downtown.
• Let's check out that bordello on the outskirts of town.
• The bustling casino felt like a bordello with all the flashing lights and loud music.

noun a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives

• In ancient China, a concubine was a woman who lived with a man and had a lower status than his wife.
• The king's concubine lived in a separate wing of the palace.
• I heard she's his concubine on the side.
• The smartphone has become the modern-day concubine, always by our side.

noun the female side of a family

• The inheritance was passed down through the distaff side of the family.
• Most of the family heirlooms come from the distaff side.
• My grandma's jewelry all comes from the distaff side - it's so cool!
• The distaff side of the business is where all the creativity comes from.

adjective having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustful

• The lecherous behavior of the CEO towards his female employees was reported to HR.
• That guy at the bar was being so lecherous towards the waitress.
• He's always acting all lecherous around women, it's gross.
• The lecherous clouds loomed overhead, threatening to burst with rain at any moment.

noun a sexual orientation or behavior characterized by romantic or sexual attraction between women

• The history of lesbianism dates back to ancient times.
• She is exploring her feelings towards lesbianism.
• Some people still use derogatory terms to refer to lesbianism.
• In literature, the theme of lesbianism is often used to symbolize rebellion against societal norms.

noun a gender that is neither masculine nor feminine

adjective of or relating to a gender that is neither masculine nor feminine

• The veterinarian recommended neutering the stray cat to prevent overpopulation.
• I heard that Bob's dog got neutered last week.
• My friend's cat got fixed at the vet.
• The artist chose to neuter the vibrant colors in their painting, opting for a more muted palette.

noun A person who is female and has reached an advanced age

adjective Describing the age of the woman as advanced or elderly

• The old woman lived alone in a small cottage in the countryside.
• The old woman always had a story to tell about the good old days.
• That old woman is a real character, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• The old woman symbolized wisdom and experience in the eyes of the young villagers.

verb Repressed is also a verb that means to hold back or suppress something, such as emotions or memories.

adjective Repressed is an adjective that describes something that has been held back or restrained, often referring to emotions or memories that have been suppressed or hidden.

• The therapist helped her uncover repressed memories from her childhood.
• He always seemed to have a repressed anger that would come out unexpectedly.
• She was repressed by her strict parents growing up.
• The artist's creativity was repressed for years until she finally found her voice.

noun something that seduces or has the power to seduce

• The art of seduction is often portrayed in literature and art.
• She used her charm and seduction skills to win him over.
• He's a master of seduction, always knowing the right things to say.
• The seduction of power can be a dangerous temptation.

noun a biological characteristic that distinguishes male and female organisms

verb to engage in sexual activity

adjective related to sexual characteristics or activities

• The topic of sex education is an important one in schools.
• Do you think they're going to have sex tonight?
• I heard they hooked up last night, so they definitely had sex.
• The tension between the two countries is like a game of political sex, with each side trying to outmaneuver the other.

pronoun A word that is used to replace a noun to avoid repetition. 'She' is a pronoun used to refer to a female person or animal.

• She is a highly respected member of the board of directors.
• She's always the life of the party.
• She's the bomb, everyone loves her.
• She is the glue that holds the team together.

adjective not equal in quantity, size, or value

• The distribution of resources in the country is highly unequal.
• The pay gap between the two employees is unequal.
• The playing field is not level, it's unequal.
• The power dynamics in the relationship were unequal, with one person always in control.

adjective refusing to submit to authority or control

• The unsubmissive attitude of the workers led to a prolonged strike.
• She is so unsubmissive, always questioning authority.
• Don't be so unsubmissive, just go with the flow.
• Her unsubmissive spirit soared like a wild bird, refusing to be caged.

adjective having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive; manly

• The doctor explained that regular exercise can help maintain a virile physique.
• He always brags about how virile he is for his age.
• Some guys think wearing a certain cologne makes them more virile.
• The company's marketing campaign aimed to portray their brand as virile and powerful.

noun a sexual attraction or romantic interest towards men or masculinity

• Androphilia refers to the romantic or sexual attraction towards men.
• Androphilia is when someone is attracted to men.
• Some people just call androphilia 'liking dudes'.
• Her androphilia was evident in the way she blushed whenever she saw him.

adjective describing a perspective or belief that is critical of or questioning of gender norms or identities

• The gender-critical perspective challenges traditional notions of gender identity.
• Some people who are gender-critical believe that gender is not solely based on biological sex.
• Those gender-critical folks really don't buy into gender stereotypes.
• Looking at gender through a gender-critical lens is like peeling back layers of societal expectations.

noun a plastic doll made by the company Mattel, Inc., typically representing a young woman with long hair and a slender figure

• The Barbie doll has been a popular toy for decades among young girls.
• My little sister loves playing with her Barbie doll collection.
• I used to have a bunch of Barbies when I was a kid.
• She always dresses and acts like a Barbie doll, so perfect and put together.

noun Gender non-conformity - refers to the behavior or appearance of an individual that does not align with the traditional societal expectations or norms associated with their assigned gender at birth.

• Gender non-conformity challenges traditional societal norms regarding gender expression.
• Some people just don't fit into traditional gender roles and that's okay.
• Gender non-conformity is all about breaking the gender rules and being yourself.
• Embracing gender non-conformity is like painting outside the lines of society's expectations.

noun a person who identifies as non-binary

adjective describing a gender identity that does not fit within the traditional binary of male or female

• The company is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for non-binary employees.
• My non-binary friend prefers they/them pronouns.
• Have you met that non-binary cutie over there?
• The concept of gender as binary is being challenged by the non-binary community.

noun a word that represents a person, place, or thing

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite (in this case, 'the' is a definite article specifying the noun 'girls')

• The girls were impeccably dressed for the charity event.
• The girls are planning a sleepover this weekend.
• The girls are totally crushing on that new guy.
• The girls' laughter filled the room like music.

noun a portmanteau of 'man' and 'recession', referring to a recession that disproportionately affects men

• The mancession of 2008 was a period of high unemployment rates among men.
• My dad lost his job during the mancession and had a hard time finding a new one.
• Bro, the mancession hit us hard - so many of my friends were out of work.
• The mancession of the tech industry caused a major shakeup in the job market.

noun A female accuser or a woman who brings accusations or charges against someone.

• The accusatrix presented compelling evidence against the defendant in court.
• The accusatrix was really going after that guy in the trial.
• The accusatrix was on a mission to take down the suspect.
• She was like an accusatrix, always pointing fingers and assigning blame.

noun a plural form of the noun administratrix, which refers to a female administrator or executor of an estate

• The board of directors appointed two administratrices to oversee the company's financial operations.
• The administratrices are in charge of handling all the paperwork for the event.
• I heard the administratrices are the ones who really run the show behind the scenes.
• In a way, the administratrices act as the gatekeepers of the organization, ensuring everything runs smoothly.