Gender is a sociocultural idea that defines roles, behavior, and expectations assigned to individuals by society on the basis of whether they are seen as male, female, or other. It differs from biological sex, which defines someone as male, female, or intersex by physical characteristics like chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. Briefly, sex is biological, gender is personal and social.

Gender is on a spectrum. Although most societies have identified as simply male and female in the past, individuals' gender experiences vary. Some are cisgender, with their gender identity matching their biological sex. Some are transgender, with their gender identity not corresponding to their birth sex. Non-binary, genderqueer, and genderfluid individuals exist and do not strictly identify as either male or female. These identities disrupts traditional gender norms and prove that gender is a highly individualized and self-identified experience.

Sexuality is in reference to whom one is attracted to on an emotional, romantic, or sexual level. Sexuality and gender are distinct. Individuals will identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc. Sexuality, similar to gender, is a continuum and can change from time to time.

Gender is not merely a social or personal idea but also a characteristic of language. Most languages exhibit gender in their words, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs. Some languages mark objects and individuals as masculine or feminine, whereas others use neuter or gender-less forms. How a language marks gender determines the way individuals perceive roles, identity, and relationships. The study of gender in languages provides insight into cultural views and indicates how communication develops in accordance with society.