queer
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for queer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to a sexual orientation or gender identity that isn't exclusively heterosexual or cisgender; used both as a reclaimed identity term and, historically, as a slur.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Etymology
Recorded in Scots from around 1510, probably from a Low German word meaning "oblique" or "off-center." It began to be used to describe gay people in the late 19th century.
Full origin of queer →Frequently asked questions
Why do some people avoid using the word queer?
Some people avoid "queer" because it has historically been used as a slur against LGBTQ+ people, and not everyone is comfortable with its reclaimed use as an identity term. Others embrace it as a positive, inclusive umbrella term, so acceptability often depends on the speaker and the specific community.