# Yuri

/ˈjʊɹi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yuri
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. media genre

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of Japanese story, comic, or film about romantic relationships between women.

For teachers: a genre of Japanese fiction, particularly manga and anime, focusing on lesbian relationships or strong emotional bonds between women.

- She enjoys reading yuri because the stories focus on the emotional connection between the two women.
- The bookstore has a dedicated section for yuri, reflecting the growing international popularity of Japanese lesbian-themed narratives.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the genre as a whole.

Teaching tip: This term is specific to Japanese pop culture fandom; in general English contexts, 'lesbian fiction' or 'sapphic media' are more common terms.

## Examples

- She enjoys reading yuri manga because of the deep character development.
- The studio announced a new yuri anime series that explores the complex friendship between two high school athletes.
- While early examples of the genre often focused on tragic or fleeting schoolgirl crushes, modern yuri encompasses a wide variety of narratives including adult workplace romances and science fiction epics.

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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.