Etymologically
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sexy

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 02:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈsek.si/[1]

Etymology

It is from English sex + -y.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Engrossed in sex, concerned with sex: 1905 in Etymonline, the early 20th century in SOED.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Sexually attractive is by 1912 in Etymonline and 1925 in the OED;[2][4] an earlier word in this sense was sexful (1894).[2] Figuratively it came to mean exciting or appealing, especially financially or to the public.[3][4]

Timeline

  • 1894 – the earlier sexful.[2]
  • 1905 – engrossed in sex.[2]
  • 1912 – sexually attractive.[2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Sexually attractive or exciting.
  2. Feeling sexual desire; aroused.
  3. (informal) Exciting, interesting or fashionable: a sexy new car.

Word family

  • sexily
  • sexiness

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press