Word
homosexual
Phoneticsho·mo·sex·u·al, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌhoʊmoʊˈsɛkˌʃəwəɫ/
UK/hˌəʊməʊsˈɛkʃuːəl/
Definitions
01attracted to the same sex
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. describing someone who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of their own sex.
adj. pertaining to sexual or romantic attraction directed toward members of one's own sex.
“The researcher studied the history of homosexual relationships in ancient societies.”
“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.
Teaching tip
In everyday conversation, 'gay' is much more common and often preferred, as 'homosexual' can sound overly clinical or cold to some speakers.
Antonyms
02a person attracted to the same sex
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person who is attracted to people of the same sex.
n. an individual whose primary or exclusive sexual orientation is toward members of the same sex.
“The law was changed to protect the rights of homosexuals in the workplace.”
“The archive contains personal letters written by homosexuals living in London during the 1920s.”
Usage
Usually functions as a countable noun.
Teaching 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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“A male homosexual relationship, and the terrible fear and misery it brings in a time and place that finds it completely unacceptable, is movingly shown.” “He was regularly drunk, ostentatious and openly homosexual at a time when to be so was a crime.” “In 1968, she staged New York’s first “homosexual wedding” in Tribeca and washed a “dirty” Soviet flag outside the United Nations building in protest over the invasion of Czechoslovakia.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/homosexual