What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
genital
Example
The doctor examined the patient's genital area for any abnormalities. [genital: adjective]
Example
She experienced pain during genital intercourse. [genital: adjective]
Example
The patient was diagnosed with a genital infection. [genital: noun]
sexual
Example
He was accused of sexual harassment in the workplace. [sexual: adjective]
Example
She identified as a sexual minority and faced discrimination. [sexual: adjective]
Example
The therapist discussed sexual health and wellness with the patient. [sexual: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sexual is more commonly used than genital in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of topics related to sex and sexuality. Genital is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between genital and sexual?
Genital is typically associated with a clinical or technical tone, while sexual can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and audience.
