ENGLISH
REFERENCE

homosexual

adj. · n.
US //ˌhoʊmoʊˈsɛkˌʃəwəɫ// UK //hˌəʊməʊsˈɛkʃuːəl// ho·mo·sex·u·al
  1. 1 attracted to the same sex (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    describing someone who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of their own sex.

    pertaining to sexual or romantic attraction directed toward members of one's own sex.

    Example

    The researcher studied the history of homosexual relationships in ancient societies.

    Example

    The report examined the specific challenges faced by homosexual individuals within the healthcare system during the late twentieth century.

    Usage

    Often used in medical, legal, or historical contexts.

    Teacher's tip

    In everyday conversation, 'gay' is much more common and often preferred, as 'homosexual' can sound overly clinical or cold to some speakers.
  2. 2 a person attracted to the same sex (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a person who is attracted to people of the same sex.

    an individual whose primary or exclusive sexual orientation is toward members of the same sex.

    Example

    The law was changed to protect the rights of homosexuals in the workplace.

    Example

    The archive contains personal letters written by homosexuals living in London during the 1920s.

    Usage

    Usually functions as a countable noun.

    Teacher's tip

    Using this word as a noun can be seen as offensive or dehumanizing by some people today; using it as an adjective (e.g., 'homosexual people') or using the term 'gay' is generally safer.
Origin

Borrowed from German homosexual, from homo- (“same”) + sexual (“relating to sex or sexuality”), coined by Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1868, and popularized in Richard von Krafft-Ebing's Psychopathia Sexualis (2nd ed. 1887, in German) and Charles Gilbert Chaddock's 1892 English translation thereof (compare bisexual), displacing the slightly older term Uranian. Equivalent to homo- + -sexual.

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