Pronunciation: [sˈɛksɪz] (IPA) 
The word "sexes" is spelled with the letter "e" between the "x" and "s" to indicate the plural form of "sex." The IPA phonetic transcription for "sexes" is /ˈsɛksɪz/, with the stress on the first syllable ("seks"). The "x" sound represents the letter "ks," while the "e" sound serves as a vowel sound in the middle of the word. This spelling allows us to differentiate between singular and plural forms of the word "sex."
The term "sexes" refers to the two categories of individuals, male and female, that are predominantly distinguished by their biological and physiological characteristics. The concept of sexes is primarily associated with the biological differences that occur due to the presence of distinct sex chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males) and the subsequent development of reproductive organs.
In addition to biological distinctions, sexes encompass a range of secondary sexual characteristics, such as hormonal differences, body structures, and genetic traits specific to males or females. These characteristics not only play a crucial role in reproduction but also impact various aspects of human life, including physical appearance, behavior, and susceptibility to certain health conditions.
Furthermore, the concept of sexes extends beyond the biological realm and incorporates social, cultural, and psychological aspects. Societal norms and gender roles often define expectations and behaviors associated with each sex, shaping how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. It is important to recognize that gender identity, which encompasses one's internal sense of being male, female, or beyond the binary, can differ from an individual's assigned sex at birth.
Understanding the complexities of sexes is vital for fostering inclusivity, promoting gender equality, and challenging restrictive gender stereotypes. Societies that appreciate the diversity of sexes are better equipped to create environments that respect and support individuals' rights, choices, and self-expression, irrespective of their biological or assigned sex.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sexes" originated from the Latin term "sexus", which generally referred to the categorization of living beings into male and female genders. In Latin, "sexus" derived from the earlier term "secare", meaning "to divide" or "to separate". This association with division and distinction led to the usage of "sexus" to describe biological distinctions in terms of male and female. As time passed, the word "sexus" eventually evolved into "sex" in Middle English and became a more widely used term to refer to the biological differences between males and females, as well as their respective reproductive functions. The plural form "sexes" emerged to denote the different genders, and it continues to be used in the modern English language.
