What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
epicene
Example
The epicene clothing line was designed to be worn by anyone regardless of gender. [epicene: adjective]
Example
The epicene pronoun 'they' can be used to refer to a person of any gender. [epicene: adjective]
Example
The epicene nature of the language made it difficult to determine the gender of the speaker. [epicene: noun]
unisex
Example
The store offers a range of unisex fragrances that can be worn by anyone. [unisex: adjective]
Example
The unisex haircut is becoming increasingly popular among young people. [unisex: adjective]
Example
The gym has a unisex changing room for all members to use. [unisex: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unisex is more commonly used than epicene in everyday language, especially in the fashion and beauty industry. Epicene is more commonly used in academic or linguistic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between epicene and unisex?
Both epicene and unisex can be used in formal or informal contexts, but epicene is more commonly used in academic or technical writing, while unisex is more commonly used in commercial or marketing contexts.