Vocabulary Showcase: Synonyms for ‘Sex’
Don’t worry we aren’t here to get weird about this topic, but sex is a thing that people do, and it’s a word we need to know and understand. It’s also a word with many synonyms (words with the same meanings) and it would be a good idea to understand what they mean - for many reasons!
A Quick Note About Gender
If you are here looking for vocabulary about males, females, and non-binary people, this is ‘gender’, or ‘biological sex’, and not what we are looking at today. Today’s vocabulary showcase is exploring words for the verb of having sex.
Synonyms for ‘Sex’
It’s not a topic you will find in most English schools, but Wright English prepares you for real life. So, here are some different words and phrases that mean having sex:
Intercourse(n) (formal/technical) - “Intercourse usually takes place in a private home.”
making love(v) (formal/general) - “Sandy and Jude make love regularly as part of a healthy relationship.”
mating(v) (formal/technical/animals) - “Before mating, many birds display their feathers to show their interest.”
coitus(n) (formal) - “Mr Cromwell was found in his home in the act of coitus. He was allowed to dress and was then arrested.”
copulation(n) (formal) - “Different countries and cultures have different expectations when it comes to copulation in couples.”
bonking(v) (informal) - “Don’t go in John’s room, George. Him and Louise are bonking.”
humping(v) (informal) - “Sarah isn’t answering the phone. She’s probably humping her girlfriend.”
the birds and the bees(n) (formal/polite) - “It is best to explain the birds and the bees to children at an age old enough to understand but young enough not to have tried anything yet.”
going all the way(v) (informal/polite) - “I’m thinking of going all the way with my boyfriend tonight, I’m a little nervous!”
fücking(v) (⚠swearing) → I don’t want to write a sentence using this one. You understand what it means, and this is a quite violent and aggressive word in my opinion. Please note: the correct spelling uses a “u” and not a “ü”, and most people will find this word extremely impolite.
Summing Up
Whether you are in a relationship, exploring your interests, reading your teenager’s text messages, or you just want to understand what that strange person at work keeps saying to you, it is important to have the vocabulary you need to talk about sex. Information is power! Feel free to play around with the synonyms you use, but just remember, the last word on the list is not a word you want to use in 99% of life situations!
What Do the Vocabulary Tags Mean?
(formal) - These words are used in more serious situations, like in essays, important reports, and usually in writing.
(informal) - These words are used more when speaking, between friends and family, and in relaxed situations.
(general) - These words are used often and in many situations.
(technical) - These words are usually used in sciences, mathematics, or other technical fields.
(animals) - These words are only used for animals and not humans.
(polite) - These words are used as a more polite or socially acceptable way of saying something people find it difficult to talk about.
(⚠swearing) - These words are extremely impolite and should only be used if your intention is to cause offence!
