Meaning & use
unisex
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Designed or suitable for both men and women.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a unisex jacket, unisex clothing. Not usually used after a verb.
Patterns
- unisex clothing
- unisex hairstyle
- unisex name
The shop sells unisex T-shirts in a wide range of sizes.
They opened a unisex hair salon on the corner.
Many parents choose unisex names for their babies.
adjectivebefore a noun
Used or shared by people of both sexes, especially of a place or service.
Grammar: Common with words like bathroom, toilet, gym, or changing room.
Patterns
- unisex bathroom
- unisex gym
- unisex changing room
The new office has a unisex bathroom on each floor.
The gym is unisex, so anyone can join.
We waited for a unisex fitting room to become free.
Common combinations
- unisex clothing
- Unisex clothing is often cheaper because it fits a wider range of people.
- unisex hairstyle
- The barber is known for creating unisex hairstyles.
- unisex name
- Alex is a popular unisex name in many English-speaking countries.
- unisex bathroom
- The restaurant has a single unisex bathroom near the entrance.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gender-neutral
- A more modern term that avoids referring to sex at all; often preferred in official or inclusive contexts.
- mixed
- Used for groups or activities that include both men and women, but not for products like clothing or names.
Commonly confused: unisex or bisexual?
unisex vs bisexual
Bisexual describes a person's sexual orientation, while unisex describes things designed for both sexes. They are not interchangeable.
Practice
The new café has a _____ bathroom that anyone can use.
Choose one answer.
A bathroom for both men and women is called 'unisex'. 'Unisexual' is a biology term for organisms with only one sex, and 'single-sex' means the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unisex”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.