View synonyms for fair sex

fair sex

or fairer sex

noun

, Older Use: Sometimes Offensive.

women as a group (usually used facetiously):
an insult to the fair sex.

fair sex

noun

the fair sex
the fair sex women collectively

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Sensitive Note

This is a dated term, usually used for humorous effect. It uses the word fair in the sense of “physically attractive”; because it refers to a woman in terms of her appearance, it is sometimes perceived as demeaning.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fair sex¹

First recorded in 1680–90

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Idioms and Phrases

Girls or women, as in Many women would object to being called the fair sex nowadays . This euphemism uses fair in the sense of “physically beautiful” and is probably dying out. [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

The fair sex in the East is scarcely less addicted to the use of this weed.

From Project Gutenberg

But M. Nicklauss, with his great experience of the world, deemed this almost general abstention of the fair sex unnatural.

From Project Gutenberg

He is well liked by the male portion of his congregation, and is on excellent terms with the fair sex.

From Project Gutenberg

In another point, he has great advantage, from the limited number of the fair sex.

From Project Gutenberg

It also points out a very characteristic feature of these concerts—namely, the preponderance of the fair sex.

From Project Gutenberg

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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