# queer

/ˈkwɪɹ/ (US) · /kwˈiə/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. LGBTQ+ identity

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to people who are not heterosexual or who do not follow traditional ideas about gender.

For teachers: pertaining to sexual or gender identities that do not conform to conventional heterosexual or cisgender norms.

- The university offers several courses on queer history and literature.
- The activist argued that queer spaces are essential for fostering a sense of community among those marginalized by mainstream society.

Teaching tip: This term has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQ+ community as a positive umbrella term, but it can still be offensive if used by people outside that community or in a derogatory way.

### 2. strange or odd

adjective · CEFR C1 · Archaic · Literary

strange, unusual, or not what you expect.

For teachers: differing from what is usual or expected; strange or odd in a way that may cause suspicion.

- He had a queer feeling that someone was watching him from the shadows.
- The old house was filled with queer noises at night, which the locals attributed to the shifting foundations rather than anything supernatural.

### 3. unwell

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Archaic · Informal

feeling slightly sick or faint.

For teachers: feeling slightly ill, faint, or physically out of sorts.

- She felt a bit queer after standing in the hot sun for so long.
- After the long sea voyage, several passengers complained of feeling quite queer and were unable to attend the captain's dinner.

### 4. an LGBTQ+ person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who is part of the LGBTQ+ community.

For teachers: a person whose sexual orientation or gender identity is non-heteronormative.

- The festival was organized by a group of local queers who wanted more representation.
- The documentary explores the lives of queers living in rural areas during the mid-twentieth century.

Teaching tip: As a noun, this word is particularly sensitive; while used within the community as a term of pride, it is frequently considered a slur when used by outsiders.

### 5. to spoil or ruin

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Informal

to spoil a plan or make something fail.

For teachers: to spoil, ruin, or interfere with the success of an endeavor or agreement.

- The sudden rainstorm threatened to queer our plans for a picnic.
- The unexpected testimony from the witness served to queer the prosecutor's entire strategy, forcing a last-minute adjournment.

### 6. to analyze through a queer lens

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

to look at a book, movie, or history from an LGBTQ+ perspective.

For teachers: to reevaluate or interpret a work or concept through the lens of queer theory or LGBTQ+ perspectives.

- Many modern critics have tried to queer the works of Shakespeare.
- In her thesis, she sought to queer the traditional narrative of the frontier, highlighting the hidden histories of gender non-conformity in the Old West.

## Examples

- She studies queer history at the local university.
- The festival provides a safe space for the queer community to celebrate their diverse identities and art.

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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.