adj Common

lesbian

LEHZ-bee-uhn

Lesbian (adj) means describing a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women. Example: “She came out as lesbian in her early twenties.”

adj

Describing a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.

"She came out as lesbian in her early twenties."

"The film follows a lesbian couple raising twins."

noun

A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.

"The bar has been a popular meeting spot for lesbians since the 1980s."

How to Use Lesbian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woman attracted to other women, or relating to that identity.

When to use it

Neutral and standard as an identity term; avoid using it as an insult or reducing it to a slang shorthand.

Common pairings

a lesbian couple identify as lesbian the lesbian community

Word Forms

lesbianed past tense, lesbians singular

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She came out as _____ in her early twenties.

Etymology

From Lesbos, the Greek island home of the ancient poet Sappho, whose verses about women's love gave the word its meaning.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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gay homosexual sapphic

Related Words

happy active Gay sad homosexual homo heterosexual wlw

Rhymes for lesbian

Asian avian Brian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is "lesbian" an adjective or a noun?

"Lesbian" works as both. As an adjective it describes a woman attracted to other women ("a lesbian couple"), and as a noun it refers to such a woman ("she is a lesbian").

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