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adj Common

homosexual

ho-moh-SEHKS-yoo-uhl
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Homosexual (adj) means Attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex. Example: “The novel follows a homosexual relationship set in 1950s London.”

adj
1
Attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex.
"No, it wouldn't make a difference if the applicant was homosexual."
"The novel follows a homosexual relationship set in 1950s London."
"The article discussed laws that once treated homosexual couples unfairly."
"He wrote an essay about homosexual characters in nineteenth-century novels."
"Most western countries have repealed laws against homosexual activity between consenting adults."
noun
1
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." — The Advocate (1997)
"Older surveys often failed to properly represent homosexuals in their data."

How to use homosexual

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA clinical-sounding term for being attracted to the same sex; "gay" and "lesbian" are now more commonly used in everyday speech.

When to use it

"Homosexual" can sound clinical or dated in casual conversation; "gay" or "lesbian" is generally preferred by the community.

Easily confused with
heterosexual → bisexual →
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Word forms

Plural
homosexuals
Comparative
more homosexual
Superlative
most homosexual
Test yourself on “homosexual” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The novel follows a _____ relationship set in 1950s London.

Etymology

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

Origin: Latin · First attested 1868

Class of 1868 homosexual joined the language around 1868.
See the full Class of 1868 →

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

bisexual heterosexual straight hetero

Related words

such person human happy thus cross straight direct

Rhymes for homosexual

dual equal usual sexual manual annual actual ritual mutual casual visual accrual
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of homosexual?
"homosexual" (adj) means attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex.
What is another word for homosexual?
Other words for "homosexual" include gay, lesbian, same-sex attracted, homophile, like that, queer.

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