budding sex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budding sex" is not a standard expression in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the early stages of sexual development or exploration, but clarity is important.
Example: "The characters in the story navigate their budding sex lives as they transition from adolescence to adulthood."
Alternatives: "emerging sexuality" or "developing sexual experiences".

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the other hand or claw or Godzilla-like foot, it should be noted that the little girls in "Digimon: The Movie" are represented mainly as vacuous party animals or budding sex objects.

The New York Times

Glowing with the heedless egoism of youth, in their bright, coordinated outfits (the sparkly costumes are by Toni-Leslie James), they are clearly aware of their budding sex appeal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Here is Banville on spring: "Remember what April was like when we were young, that sense of liquid rushing and the wind taking blue scoops out of the air and the birds beside themselves in the budding trees?" On sex: "She granted me full freedom of her body, that opulent pleasure garden where I sipped and sucked, dazed as a bumble-bee in full-blown summer".

The New Yorker

Just as birds may flash plumage or wail in ways irresistible to members of the opposite sex, budding scholars and weary academics alike engage in specific actions to signal their suitability as a mate.

Huffington Post

In both budding yeast and fission yeast, sex change occurs when copies of epigenetically silent mating type information replace expressed mating type information.

Huffington Post

Daniel's life is one of unrelenting disappointment with life and rage against other people, including his two lovers, the sophisticated magazine editor Isabelle, who doesn't like sex, and the sensual budding actress Esther, who doesn't like love.

The Guardian - Books

We constructed conserved co-expression networks for meiotic prophase by integrating cross-species and cross-sex expression profiles from budding yeast, mouse, and human.

BMC Systems Biology

We identified evolutionarily conserved gene modules in meiotic prophase by integrating cross-species and cross-sex expression profiles from budding yeast, mouse, and human.

BMC Systems Biology

They are Lauren, a Christian and a good student; Penny, a Wiccan who was more Jeff's sex friend than girlfriend; Breanna, a budding lesbian in love with Penny; and Trisha, Lauren's sometime pal.

The New York Times

This month, Sex returns to the city: an infamous play written by and starring the budding starlet Mae West in the 1920s.

The Guardian

Scuppering Whitney's budding romance with Lee Carter with the words "I'm pretty certain she's stopped charging for sex," was a masterstroke.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "budding sex", ensure the context is clear and avoids ambiguity. Consider whether "emerging sexuality" or "developing sexual experiences" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "budding sex" in contexts where it might be confused with the literal meaning of 'budding' (as in plants). Clarify the intent to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budding sex" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. "Budding" serves to describe the noun "sex", indicating something in its early stages of development or manifestation. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically sound, the phrase can be considered somewhat awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "budding sex" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to describe the early stages of sexual development or interest. However, as Ludwig suggests, it may be considered somewhat awkward and could benefit from clearer alternatives like "emerging sexuality" or "developing sexual interest" depending on the context. Usage is rare and primarily found in news media and scientific articles. When using this phrase, ensure clarity to avoid misinterpretation and consider the audience's understanding.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Emerging sexuality

Focuses on the development of sexual feelings and identity, differing from the literal sense of "budding sex".

Developing sexuality

Similar to 'emerging sexuality', emphasizing the process of sexual development.

Nascent sexuality

Highlights the very early stages of sexual interest or behavior.

Fledgling sexuality

Similar to 'nascent', but evokes a sense of inexperience and vulnerability.

Awakening sexuality

Suggests a sudden realization or awareness of sexual feelings.

Incipient sexuality

Indicates the very beginning stages of sexual development, often in a scientific or formal context.

FAQs

What does "budding sex" mean?

The phrase "budding sex" typically refers to the early stages of sexual development, interest, or activity. However, its meaning can be ambiguous and context-dependent, and it is not a commonly used phrase.

Are there alternatives to "budding sex"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "emerging sexuality", "developing sexuality", or "nascent sexuality".

Is "budding sex" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct as an adjective-noun combination. However, its usage might sound awkward or unclear depending on the context.

How can I use "budding sex" in a sentence?

You could use "budding sex" in a sentence like: "The novel explores the characters' navigation of their budding sex lives as they transition from adolescence to adulthood." Ensure the context makes the meaning clear.