WordGarden.iopenis
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈiːnɪs/
US
- /ˈpinɪs/
Meanings
Noun
the external male genital organ
Beyond the definition
This word names the external male sex organ. It is used for urination and also plays a part in sex and reproduction. The term is mainly used in medical, educational, and formal writing, where it sounds clear and neutral.
In everyday life, people may avoid this word because it can feel private or sensitive. Still, it is the standard anatomical term, so a doctor, teacher, or health article may use it directly. In casual speech, some people choose slang instead, but that can sound rude or childish depending on the setting.
The penis is the external male reproductive organ. It has two main body functions: it allows urine to leave the body, and it plays a part in sexual activity and reproduction. During sexual arousal, it can become firm because blood flows into its tissue. This makes sexual intercourse possible. Semen also passes through it, carrying sperm that may help start a pregnancy.
This is the standard medical and anatomical word, so it appears in health advice, biology classes, sex education, and clinical writing. A doctor might talk about pain, infection, growth, or general health using this term because it is direct and correct. In these contexts, the word is neutral, even if the topic feels personal.
Outside formal settings, the word can feel awkward because it refers to a private body part. Some people avoid saying it in casual conversation, and others replace it with slang. That is why tone and setting matter. In a classroom, a hospital, or a health article, the word is usually appropriate. In jokes, arguments, or rude remarks, it can sound offensive or vulgar.
The word may also appear in discussions about culture, body image, masculinity, or sexuality, but its core meaning stays the same: it names a male body part. For English learners, the safest way to understand it is as a formal, correct word that is common in medicine and education, but one that should be used with care because it refers to an intimate part of the body.
Examples
- 1
Medical symptom
The doctor asked if he had any pain in his penis.
- 2
Hygiene
Wash the penis gently with warm water.
- 3
Child vocabulary
Some parents teach children the word penis instead of using a nickname.
- Caution
penis is the standard medical word; informal words may sound childish or rude
- 4
Normal variation
Penises vary in size and shape, and small differences are usually normal.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Condom use
A condom is rolled onto the penis before sex.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- penisnoun
Forms
- penisespluralnoun
- penespluralnoun