ENGLISH
REFERENCE

homophobic

adj. · n.
US //ˌhoʊməˈfoʊbɪk// UK //hˌɒməfˈəʊbɪk// ho·mo·pho·bic
  1. 1 prejudiced (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    showing a dislike or fear of gay people.

    exhibiting or characterised by homophobia; expressing prejudice or discrimination against homosexual people.

    Example

    The company has a strict policy against making homophobic comments in the office.

    Example

    The activist argued that systemic homophobic attitudes in the legislation prevented many couples from accessing basic legal protections.

    Usage

    Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be'.
  2. 2 annoying or inconvenient (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Humorous

    used as a joke to describe something that is annoying or doesn't work for you.

    used humorously and hyperbolically to describe an object, situation, or event that is inconvenient or irritating.

    Example

    My phone died right when I needed the map; that's so homophobic.

    Example

    The sudden downpour just as I stepped out in my new outfit felt personally homophobic.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a very modern, ironic use found mostly on social media among younger generations; it should not be used in serious or formal contexts.
  3. 3 having different coloured eyes (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Humorous

    a joke spelling of 'heterochromic' used to describe someone with two different eye colours.

    a deliberate, humorous misspelling of 'heterochromic', referring to an organism with eyes of different colours.

    Example

    That cat has one blue eye and one green eye; it's homophobic.

    Example

    The internet was flooded with photos of the husky, jokingly calling the dog homophobic because of its striking heterochromia.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a pun based on the phonetic similarity between 'homo-' and 'hetero-'; it is exclusive to internet meme culture.
    • heterochromic
  4. 4 a prejudiced person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a person who has a dislike or fear of gay people.

    a person who exhibits homophobia or engages in discriminatory behaviour toward homosexuals.

    Example

    He was labelled a homophobic after his public outburst against the parade.

    Example

    The moderator was quick to ban the user, stating that the forum had zero tolerance for homophobics and other bigots.
Origin

From homo- (“homosexual”) + -phobic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026