ENGLISH
REFERENCE

homophobia

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌhoʊməˈfoʊbiə// UK //hˌɒməfˈəʊbiə// ho·mo·pho·bia Archaic Humorous

n. a strong dislike or fear of people who are gay. It often leads to unfair treatment or unkind behavior toward the LGBTQ+ community.

n. an irrational fear, hatred, or prejudice directed toward homosexuality or people perceived as being gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Often manifests as systemic discrimination or individual acts of hostility.


SIMPLE

The school has a strict policy against homophobia and bullying.

CONTEXTUAL

Activists are working to pass new laws that protect citizens from violence motivated by homophobia.

COMPLEX

Sociologists argue that institutional homophobia can be dismantled only through a combination of legislative reform and comprehensive public education campaigns.

Etymology 1

From homo- (short for and prefix of homosexual) + -phobia. Coined by American psychologist George Weinberg in 1971 in Society and the Healthy Homosexual.

Etymology 2

Latin homo (“man”) + -phobia (“fear”)

Usage

Uncountable in its abstract sense; often used as the object of verbs like 'combat', 'tackle', or 'experience'.

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