Gender is distinction of sex. The gender of a noun or pronoun denoting a male being is masculine; that of a noun or pronoun denoting a female being, feminine; and that of a noun or pronoun denoting an inanimate object, neuter ("neither").

Some nouns, as god, goddess, hero, heroine, host, hostess, master, mistress, priest, priestess, prince, princess, have different forms to indicate gender; but such nouns as author, poet, doctor, editor, and instructor answer for women as well as for men.