lesbian
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for lesbian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Describing a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Describing a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
“She joined a local club for lesbian women who enjoy hiking.”
Opposites
2. noun
A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
“Two lesbians who met at university have just opened a bakery together in town.”
Opposites
How to use lesbian
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral and standard as an identity term; avoid using it as an insult or reducing it to a slang shorthand.
Etymology
From Lesbos, the Greek island home of the ancient poet Sappho, whose verses about women's love gave the word its meaning.
Full origin of lesbian →