Word
homosexuality
Phoneticsho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty, stress on the fifth syllable
US/ˌhoʊmoʊˌsɛkʃuˈæɫəˌti/
UK/hˌəʊməʊsˈɛkʃuːˈælɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the feeling of being sexually or romantically attracted to people of the same sex.
n. the state of being sexually and romantically attracted primarily or exclusively to persons of the same sex.
Examples
“The country passed new laws to protect people regardless of their homosexuality.”
“Sociologists study how different cultures have viewed homosexuality throughout history, from ancient rituals to modern civil rights movements.”
“The shift in clinical perspectives during the late twentieth century led to the removal of homosexuality from many official lists of mental disorders, reflecting a more evidence-based understanding of human diversity.”
Examples
simple
“The country passed new laws to protect people regardless of their homosexuality.”
contextual
“Sociologists study how different cultures have viewed homosexuality throughout history, from ancient rituals to modern civil rights movements.”
complex
“The shift in clinical perspectives during the late twentieth century led to the removal of homosexuality from many official lists of mental disorders, reflecting a more evidence-based understanding of human diversity.”
Usage
The term is often used in formal, medical, or legal contexts; in everyday social contexts, many people prefer the terms 'gay' or 'queer'.
Teaching tip
While technically neutral, some people find the term overly clinical or medicalized because of its historical use in psychiatry; 'gay' is the standard everyday alternative.
Pitfall
He is a homosexuality.
He is gay.
Homosexuality is a noun for the concept or state; use the adjective 'gay' to describe a person.
Real-World Examples
“Earlier this month, the MP Barnaby Joyce described One Nation as “ one of the gayest parties in Australia ” after its failed candidate Parminder Singh described homosexuality as a mental illness.” “There’s some riffing on the overlaps between gay and autistic, and a fun bit imagining the generation of “non-trauma gays” we might expect now homosexuality is no longer so stigmatised.” Etymology
From homosexual + -ity, equivalent to homo- + sexuality and after the model of German Homosexualität, coined by journalist Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1869, and French homosexualité, attested in 1891.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/homosexuality