homosexual
8 synonyms and 3 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
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.