# homophobic

/ˌhoʊməˈfoʊbɪk/ (US) · /hˌɒməfˈəʊbɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homophobic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. prejudiced

adjective · CEFR B2

showing a dislike or fear of gay people.

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

- The company has a strict policy against making homophobic comments in the office.
- 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. annoying or inconvenient

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Humorous

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

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

- My phone died right when I needed the map; that's so homophobic.
- The sudden downpour just as I stepped out in my new outfit felt personally homophobic.

Teaching 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. having different coloured eyes

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · Humorous

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

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

- That cat has one blue eye and one green eye; it's homophobic.
- The internet was flooded with photos of the husky, jokingly calling the dog homophobic because of its striking heterochromia.

Teaching tip: This is a pun based on the phonetic similarity between 'homo-' and 'hetero-'; it is exclusive to internet meme culture.

### 4. a prejudiced person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- He was labelled a homophobic after his public outburst against the parade.
- The moderator was quick to ban the user, stating that the forum had zero tolerance for homophobics and other bigots.

## Examples

- The company has strict rules against homophobic comments.
- Activists are working to change homophobic laws that prevent certain people from getting married.
- The documentary explores how homophobic rhetoric in the media can negatively impact the mental health and safety of young people in rural communities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.