queer

11 synonyms and 2 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.

odd unusual curious funny gay

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

peculiar bizarre singular rum

Rare, literary or technical

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

homophile rummy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. 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.

“The festival celebrates queer artists and filmmakers.”

odd unusual peculiar curious bizarre funny singular homophile gay rummy rum

2. adj

Strange, odd, or unusual.

“There was something queer about the way he smiled.”

Opposites

common normal

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.

People also searched

common normal funny Gay curious unusual odd bizarre singular peculiar rum homophile

Nearby words

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