ambisexual
ambisexual
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for ambisexual is /ˌæm.bɪˈsɛk.ʃu.əl/.
The word is broken down into the following sounds:
am: /æm/ - This sounds like the word "am".
bi: /bɪ/ - This is a short 'i' sound, as in the word "bit".
sex: /ˈsɛk/ - This is the primary stressed syllable, sounding like the word "sect".
u: /ʃu/ - This sounds like the word "shoe".
al: /əl/ - This is an unstressed schwa sound followed by 'l', like the end of the word "final".
Word Form Variations
Adjective: ambisexual
Noun (person): ambisexual (singular), ambisexuals (plural)
Noun (concept): ambisexuality
Adverb: ambisexually
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Relating to or possessing characteristics of more than one sex or gender; androgynous.
Exhibiting sexual or romantic attraction to individuals of more than one gender; often used as a synonym for bisexual.
Synonyms: bisexual, androgynous, pansexual, gender-nonconforming
Antonyms: monosexual, heterosexual, homosexual, gender-conforming
Noun
An individual who identifies as being attracted to more than one gender.
A person who has or displays physical or behavioral traits of more than one gender.
Synonyms: bisexual, pansexual
Antonyms: heterosexual, homosexual
Examples of Use
The word ambisexual is often used to describe androgyny in appearance or an orientation equivalent to bisexuality. While less common today than in the late 20th century, it still appears in various contexts, particularly in discussions of fashion, culture, and identity.
In Books and Academia
In academic writing, especially within cultural and gender studies, the term is used to analyze figures who challenge traditional gender norms.
Example: In her influential book Sexual Personae, scholar Camille Paglia describes the "ambisexual mystery of the beautiful boy," analyzing the androgynous ideal in Western art and literature (Paglia, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson).
In Journalism and Online Publications
Journalists and critics often use ambisexual to describe the aesthetic of celebrities, artists, or fashion trends that blend masculine and feminine elements.
Example: A retrospective on the glam rock era in an online music magazine might state, "Artists like David Bowie and Marc Bolan cultivated an ambisexual glamour, challenging the rigid masculinity of mainstream rock with makeup, flowing hair, and flamboyant costumes."
Example: A fashion review in Vogue could describe a new clothing line: "The collection’s appeal is intentionally ambisexual, featuring oversized blazers and fluid trousers designed to be worn by anyone, regardless of gender."
In Entertainment
The concept, if not the exact word, is a cornerstone of many artistic expressions, particularly in music where visual performance is key.
Example: In a documentary about the artist Prince, a music critic might comment, "Prince’s genius was not just in his music but in his performance. He created this ambisexual persona—a rock god who was simultaneously masculine, feminine, and something entirely new."
In General Public Discourse
Online and in conversation, the term is sometimes used more casually to describe a non-binary or androgynous style.
Example: On a social media platform like Pinterest or Instagram, a user might caption a photo of their outfit with, "#OOTD going for an ambisexual look today with this tailored suit and pearl necklace."
Example: During a discussion in an online forum about character design in video games, a user might write, "I love when games include ambisexual character options. It makes it feel more inclusive and modern."
10 Famous Quotes Using Ambisexual
We could call you an ambisexual. A duosexual. A— (David Levithan, Boy Meets Boy)
Everybody is born ambisexual, multisexual, polymorphous perverse, pansexual, call it what you will. (Common Sense, 1971)
The Gethenian natives exist in an ambisexual state, a biological reality that shapes their entire society and understanding of self. (On the society in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness)
In his self-portraits, the artist presented a deliberately ambisexual figure, challenging the rigid definitions of masculinity in his era.
The collection was a masterclass in ambisexual tailoring, blurring the lines between menswear and womenswear until they ceased to matter.
Rock and roll should be a little dangerous and a lot ambisexual.
To be truly modern is to embrace the ambisexual potential within all people.
He wasn't just a pretty face; he was the ambisexual ideal of a generation, a beautiful androgyny that captivated everyone.
My aesthetic has always been more ambisexual than anything else; I borrow from whatever feels authentic.
The character's journey was one of discovering an ambisexual identity that felt more true than any label society had offered.
Etymology
The word ambisexual is a straightforward combination of two Latin parts:
ambi-: This is a prefix that means "both" or "on both sides." A common example is the word ambidextrous, which describes someone who can use both hands equally well.
sexual: This part comes from the Latin word sexus, which refers to "sex" or the state of being male or female.
When you put them together, the literal meaning of ambisexual is simply "of both sexes."
The first known use of the word dates back to the early 20th century, around 1914. At that time, its meaning was primarily scientific and rooted in biology and early psychology. It was used to describe organisms that had characteristics of both male and female sexes. In the field of psychoanalysis, it was also used to refer to the idea that all humans are born with an innate psychological potential for both "masculine" and "feminine" tendencies.
Over time, the word's usage expanded from this clinical context into the broader cultural vocabulary we use today, where it can refer to androgynous fashion, personal identity, or sexual orientation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ambisexual
An ambisexual aesthetic
Ambisexual appeal
A figure of ambisexual glamour
To have a foot in both camps
The ambisexual ideal in art
To play for both teams
The best of both worlds
Two sides of the same coin
An ambisexual renaissance
To cut both ways
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ambisexual from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
