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coitus

/ˈkɔɪɾəs/
/ˈkɔɪtəs/
IPA guide

Coitus is a word for sex, specifically vaginal sex that includes penetration and ejaculation. A couple has achieved coitus when they've had sex.

This word may sound a little unusual to you because it's an old technical term for sex. Very few friends sitting around talking about sex will describe it as coitus, unless they're talking about The Big Lebowski, a movie that makes humorous mention of this old-fashioned term. Coitus may remind you of copulation and fornication: two other fancy words for sex.

Definitions of coitus
  1. noun
    the act of sexual intercourse between two people
    see moresee less
    types:
    defloration
    the act of depriving a woman of her virginity (especially by rupturing the hymen through sexual intercourse)
    hank panky
    illicit sexual intercourse
    penetration
    the act of inserting the penis into a partner's vagina or anus
    criminal congress, unlawful carnal knowledge
    forbidden or tabu sexual intercourse between individuals
    extramarital sex, free love
    sexual intercourse between individuals who are not married to one another
    incest
    sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry (as between a parent and a child)
    type of:
    sex, sex activity, sexual activity, sexual practice
    activities associated with sexual intercourse
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