Homosexual

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Homosexual

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective and noun

Pronunciation

hom-oh-SEK-shoo-ul  /ˌhɒməˈsekʃuəl/

Definition

As an adjective: sexually attracted to people of the same sex; relating to or characterised by sexual attraction to people of the same sex. As a noun: a person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex. The term applies to both men and women, though gay is now more commonly used for men and lesbian for women.

Plain meaning

Homosexual describes a person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex. It is a clinical and formal term. In everyday use, gay is now more common for men attracted to men, and lesbian for women attracted to women. The word homosexual is still used in medical, legal, and academic contexts.

Register

Formal and clinical. Homosexual is the standard term in medical, legal, and academic contexts. In everyday usage, gay (for men), lesbian (for women), or queer (broader) are now more commonly preferred. Homosexual as a label applied to individuals can feel clinical or distancing to some; gay or lesbian is generally preferred in social contexts.