unisex adj : not distinguished on the basis of sex

English

Adjective

1. Designed to be suitable to both sexes.
2. Not distinguished on the basis of sex.

Translations

Unisex refers to things that are suitable for both sexes, but can also be another term for gender-blindness.

The term was coined in the 1960s and was used fairly informally. Though the combining form 'uni-' is from the Latin 'unus' meaning 'one', the term seems to have been influenced by words such as 'united' and 'universal', meaning that the 'uni-' prefix takes on the definition of 'shared'. In this sense, it can be seen as meaning 'shared by both sexes'.

Hair stylists and beauty salons that serve both men and women are often referred to as unisex. This is typical of other services that traditionally separated the sexes, such as clothing shops.

See also

• Coeducation
• Unisex name
• Unisex bathroom
• Gender role

Sources