hermaphrodite

1 of 2

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈma-frə-ˌdīt 

plural hermaphrodites

1

: an animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : an organism exhibiting hermaphroditism

2

: something that is a combination of diverse elements

hermaphrodite

2 of 2

adjective

: possessing both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : hermaphroditic

hermaphrodite plants

Like their relatives the earthworms, leeches are hermaphrodite animals. Each individual has both male and female sex organs but cannot fertilize itself.

—Mark Carwardine

Examples of hermaphrodite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This post had no buildup or context, as far as X goes, as his tweets prior were thanking Adam Sandler for showing him love and analyzing the existence of hermaphrodites. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 20 Feb. 2025

The Oscar-winning actress who is supposedly a hermaphrodite. —Allen Salkin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2024

Adjective

As if extolling radical agnosticism, the film concludes by discussing the role of women in the church and an intersex cardinal’s laparoscopic hysterectomy before finally tossing its bad faith to a hermaphrodite pope. —Armond White, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025

This is because papayas can produce either male flowers, female flowers or hermaphrodite flowers that have characteristics of both. —Alex Groves, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hermofrodite, borrowed from Latin hermaphrodītus, borrowed from Greek hermaphródītos, after Hermaphródītos hermaphroditus

Adjective

from attributive use of hermaphrodite entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hermaphrodite

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite
• dithionite

Kids Definition

hermaphrodite

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈmaf-rə-ˌdīt 

: a hermaphroditic plant or animal

Medical Definition

hermaphrodite

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈmaf-rə-ˌdīt 

: an individual exhibiting hermaphroditism

hermaphrodite adjective