English

Adjective

homosexual ‎(comparative more homosexual, superlative most homosexual)

1. (of a person or animal) Sexually attracted primarily to other members of the same sex. Being either a male androphile or a female gynephile. (Sometimes used in the sense of sole/exclusive attraction.)
   • 1983, Michael W. Ross, Homosexuality and Social Sex Roles:

     "Significant results indicate that Swedes would choose a more masculine partner the more homosexual they are, and that Finns would choose a more attractive partner the more homosexual they are."

2. (of a romantic or sexual act or relationship) Between two people of the same gender or same sex; gay.

   My sister is currently in a homosexual relationship with a girl in her class.

   homosexual acts, a homosexual kiss

3. Intended for or used by homosexuals, as a nightclub, a bar, etc.

Usage notes

• Many homosexual people prefer to be referred to by the adjective (and noun) gay.
• Many female homosexuals prefer to be referred to as lesbians.
• Many people now avoid using the term homosexual because of the emphasis it places on sexuality. Those who consider it objectionable consider it especially so when it is used as a noun; here "gay man" and either "gay woman" or "lesbian" and their plural forms are considered more preferable by such individuals who feel this way about the term. Those who feel this way about the term might consider it less objectionable when used adjectivally, as in "a homosexual relationship", though they still might prefer such terms as "gay", "lesbian", or "same-sex" in those instances as well.
• Pronunciation: The word "homosexual" derives from the Greek word for "same", which is traditionally pronounced /ˈhɒməʊ/ in words derived from it, rather than the Latin word homo ‎(“man”), which is pronounced /ˈhəʊməʊ/ (RP) in English words derived from it. Hence the etymology indicates that the appropriate pronunciation of the vowel in the first syllable is /ɒ/, but the pronunciation with the long vowel /əʊ/ in this position is much more commonly heard, and is the only correct pronunciation of the shortened form homo.
• Because of the similarity of homo- to the Latin word for man, the term homosexual is sometimes interpreted as meaning "sexually attracted solely or primarily to [other] men". This is a misinterpretation, as the Latin homo denotes a human being of either sex, and not the male of the species, which in Latin is vir.

Synonyms

• (sexually attracted solely or primarily to the same sex): gay, lesbian (used only of women), homo (derogatory)
• (involving or relating to homosexuals): gay, lesbian (used only of women), same-sex
• (intended for or used by homosexuals): gay, lesbian (used only of women)
• (community): LGBT

Antonyms

• (sexually attracted solely or primarily to the same sex): heterosexual (hetero), straight, breeder
• (involving or relating to homosexuals): heterosexual (hetero)
• (intended for or used by homosexuals): heterosexual (hetero), straight

Coordinate terms

• (of humans): (sexual orientations) sexual orientation; asexual (-ity, ace), bisexual (-ity, bi), demisexual (-ity), graysexual (-ity), heterosexual (-ity, straight), homosexual (-ity, gay, lesbian), omnisexual (-ity), pansexual (-ity, pan), polysexual (-ity), robosexual (-ity), sapiosexual (-ity) ^{(Category: en:Sexual orientations)}
• (of humans): bi, hetero
• (of humans): homoromantic

Translations

Noun

homosexual ‎(plural homosexuals)

1. A person who is attracted solely or primarily to others of the same sex.

Usage notes

• Female homosexuals are also known as lesbians, a term preferred by many of them. As homosexual applies to people of either sex, the expression homosexuals and lesbians is a pleonasm and is best replaced by "homosexuals" or "lesbians" alone as appropriate, or "gay people" (see also the usage notes for the adjective, and for gay).

Synonyms

• This section is divided into two tables, one containing synonyms that generally are not derogatory and one containing those that generally are. However, note that the non-derogatory terms can nonetheless be used derogatorily, and that some of the derogatory ones are often used humorously and non-derogatorily by gay people and others.

Translations

Basque

Adjective

homosexual

1. homosexual

Catalan

Pronunciation

• (Balearic) IPA^(key): /o.mo.sək.suˈal/
• (Central) IPA^(key): /u.mu.sək.suˈal/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /o.mo.sek.suˈal/

Adjective

homosexual m, f ‎(masculine and feminine plural homosexuals)

1. homosexual

Noun

homosexual m, f ‎(plural homosexuals)

1. homosexual

Related terms

• homosexualitat

Romanian

Etymology

French homosexuel.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌho.mo.sek.suˈal/

Adjective

homosexual m, n ‎(feminine singular homosexuală, masculine plural homosexuali, feminine and neuter plural homosexuale)

1. homosexual

   În lumea animală se observă comportamentul homosexual relativ frecvent la mamifere și la păsări

   In the animal world, homosexual behaviour is observed relatively frequent in mammals and birds.

Declension

Noun

homosexual m ‎(plural homosexuali, feminine equivalent homosexuală)

1. homosexual

Declension

Related terms

• homosexualitate
• gay
• lesbian / lesbiană
• poponar (pejorative)
• bulangiu (pejorative)

Spanish

Etymology

homo- +‎ sexual

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -al

Adjective

homosexual m, f ‎(plural homosexuales)

1. homosexual

   Comportamiento homosexual se observa con frecuencia entre los mamíferos.

   Homosexual behaviour is frequently observed among mammals.

Noun

homosexual m, f ‎(plural homosexuales)

1. homosexual

Antonyms

• heterosexual

Related terms

• homosexualidad
• maricón (pejorative)