Gendered Language

Gendered language refers to any form of language which implies the gender identity of the person it is referring to. Using gendered language which does not match someone's gender identity is a form of misgendering.

Grammatical gender

In linguistics, grammatical gender is a specific form of noun class system in which the division of noun classes forms an agreement system with another aspect of the language, such as adjectives, articles, pronouns, or verbs. This system is used in approximately one quarter of the world's languages

How gender is expressed varies between language - Some languages are completely gender neutral. Some languages are heavily gendered. Some are a mix of gendered and non-gendered words.

In romance languages, such as Spanish or French, every noun is classified as masculine or feminine and other parts of speech such as pronouns, articles and adjectives, correspond with the grammatical gender of the noun. For example, in Spanish, la chica buena, means the good girl and el chico bueno means the good boy. The definite article the (el or la) and the adjective good (bueno or buena) changes based on the gender of the noun boy or girl. Grammatical gender also applies to objects, but the grammatical gender does not rely on human gender roles to decide on whether a noun is masculine or feminine. La silla (the chair) is always a feminine noun, regardless of whether the chair looks traditionally masculine or feminine. El vestido (the dress) is a masculine noun, even though dresses are traditionally considered feminine objects.

Other languages, like English, are not grammatically gendered, but gender still has an influence on certain words. Nouns referring to objects and items are not gendered, but certain nouns referring to humans, such as man, boy, woman, girl refer to a person's gender. Certain third-person pronouns are traditionally gendered, such as he and she. Articles and adjectives in English do not change based on gender. Using the example of The good girl or the good boy, the definite article the and the adjective good stay the same regardless of the gendered nouns girl or boy.

Many English words have a neutral form of masculine or feminine words, specifically in reference to professions, such as policeman, policewoman being gendered and police officer or police person being gender neutral. Typically, replacing the suffixes -man or -woman with the suffix -person is how one can make a gendered professional term not gendered. Non-binary people may use the suffix -enby. Other words can be made more specific, like server as a gender neutral term for waiter/waitress.

Typically gendered words in English and non-gendered alternatives.

Common nouns and terms for family members

Type of noun	Specifically feminine	Specifically masculine	Gender neutral or non-binary alternatives
Minors	girl, gal	boy, guy, dude	child, kid, teen, tween, toddler, infant, baby, person (enby for non-binary people)
Adults	woman, lady	man, guy, dude	adult, grownup, person (enby for non-binary people)
Person of any age	female	male	human being, person, somebody, someone
One's parent	mother, mom	father, dad	parent
One's grandparent	grandmother, grandma	grandfather, grandpa	grandparent
One's sibling	sister, sis	brother, bro	sibling, sib
One's offspring	daughter	son	child
The offspring of one's offspring	granddaughter	grandson	grandchild
The sibling of one's parent	aunt	uncle	no traditional gender neutral alternative (Some terms like "auncle" or "untie/unty" are used for gender neutrality)
The offspring of one's sibling	niece	nephew	nibling
Married partner	wife	husband	spouse
Titles/Honorifics	Mrs./Ms./Miss, Ma'am, Madame, Lady	Mr., Sir, Gentleman	Mx. (pronounced mix)

Friendships and romantic relationships

Type of noun	Specifically feminine	Specifically masculine	Gender neutral or non-binary alternatives
Friendship	gal pal, girl friend, friend who is a girl, homegirl	boy friend, bro, bromance, lad, pal, friend who is a boy, main man, homeboy	friend, pal, chum, mate, associate, comrade, best friend, BFF (best friend forever), homie, home slice
Romantic unmarried partner	girlfriend	boyfriend	partner, significant other, S.O., soulmate, lover, sweetheart, date, sweetie, honey, babe, companion, life partner, paramour (Some terms like enbyfriend, datemate, personfriend, datefriend, theyfriend are used for non-binary people specifically)
Partner to whom one is engaged	fiancée	fiancé	betrothed, engaged partner, fiancé-e, fiancé(e)
Married partner	wife	husband	spouse, life partner

Professions

Job or craft	Specifically feminine	Specifically masculine	Gender neutral or non-binary alternatives
Acting	actress	actor	actor
Bartending	barwoman	barman	bartender
Business	businesswoman	businessman	businessperson
religious titles	priestess	priest, clergyman	clergy member, minister
spouse of a reigning monarch	Queen Consort	Prince Consort	Consort
tending or ranching cattle	cowboy	cowgirl	cowhand
religious deities	a goddess	a god	a deity, a goddex, a higher power, a creator, a divine being
flight assistance	stewardess	steward	flight attendant, steward
fire fighting	fireman	firewoman	firefighter
heroic person	heroine	hero	hero
equestrian	horsewoman	horseman	horse rider
royalty/reigning/monarchy	queen princess	king prince	monarch monarch's hier; prinxe
noble ranks	nobleman lady duchess	noblewoman lord duke	noble
aviation	aviatrix	aviator	aviator, pilot
law enforcement	policewoman	policeman	police officer, police person
restaurant serving	waitress	waiter	server, waiter

Other terms

Type of noun	Specifically feminine	Specifically masculine	Gender neutral or non-binary alternatives
a fanatic	fanboy	fangirl	fan, fankid, fanenby, fanatic, superfan
wedding	bride	groom	nearlywed, marrier, celebrant (portmanteaus: gride, broom, bridegroom)
wedding	bridesmaid	groomsman	wedding usher