homosexual

9 synonyms and 4 antonyms for homosexual, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

gay

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

lesbian queer homo

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

same-sex attracted homophile like that similisexual that way

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex.

“No, it wouldn't make a difference if the applicant was homosexual.”

gay lesbian same-sex attracted homophile like that queer similisexual that way

Opposites

bisexual heterosexual straight hetero

2. noun

A person who is attracted to people of the same sex.

“It was unheard-of for those of us who are 30-something or older to have had an openly gay role model when we were young. Homosexuals weren't depicted in the media in a positive light, if at all.”

homophile gay homo

Etymology

Coined in German in 1868 by Karl-Maria Kertbeny from Greek homo- ("same") + Latin sexualis, and later carried into English.

Full origin of homosexual →

Frequently asked questions

Is homosexual used as both a noun and an adjective?

Yes. As an adjective, homosexual describes attraction to the same sex, as in 'homosexual relationships.' As a noun, it refers to a person who has that attraction, though many people prefer terms like 'gay man' or 'lesbian' when referring to a specific person.

What is the difference between homosexual and bisexual?

Homosexual describes attraction exclusively to people of one's own sex, while bisexual describes attraction to more than one sex or gender.

People also searched

straight Gay lesbian homo queer bisexual heterosexual homophile hetero

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of homosexual