homosexual

EtymologyEdit

Homosexual women

Homosexual men

From homo- + sexual, English from 1892.

PronunciationEdit

• Audio (UK)

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• Audio (US)

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• (Received Pronunciation):
  • IPA^(key): /ˌhɒməʊˈsɛksjuːəl/
  • IPA^(key): /ˌhɒməʊˈsɛkʃuːəl/
  • IPA^(key): /ˌhəʊməʊˈsɛksjuːəl/
  • IPA^(key): /ˌhəʊməʊˈsɛkʃuːəl/
• (US):
  • enPR: hō'mə-sĕkʹsho͞o-əl, IPA^(key): /ˌhoʊməˈsɛkʃuːəl/
  • enPR: hō'mō-sĕkʹsho͞o-əl, IPA^(key): /ˌhoʊmoʊˈsɛkʃuːəl/

AdjectiveEdit

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 notesEdit

• 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 this term places on sexuality. Indeed, the words gay and lesbian, which stress cultural and social matters over sex, are frequently better choices. Homosexual is most objectionable when used as a noun; here "gay man" and either "gay woman" or "lesbian" and their plural forms are called for. It is generally somewhat less objectionable when used adjectivally, as in "a homosexual relationship", although "gay", "lesbian", or "same-sex" are also available for adjectival use.
• Pronunciation: The word "homosexual" derives from the Greek word for "same", which is traditionally pronounced /ˈhɒməʊ/, /"hQm@U/ in words derived from it, rather than the Latin word homo (“man”), which is pronounced /ˈhəʊməʊ/, /"həUməU/ (RP) in English words derived from it. Hence the etymology indicates that the appropriate pronunciation of the vowel in the first syllable is /ɒ/, /Q/, but the pronunciation with the long vowel /əʊ/, /@U/ 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".

SynonymsEdit

• (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

AntonymsEdit

• (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 termsEdit

• (of humans): (sexual orientations) sexual orientation; asexual, bisexual, heterosexual, homosexual (lesbian), omnisexual, pansexual, polysexual ^{(Category: en:Sexuality)}
• (of humans): bi, hetero

TranslationsEdit

NounEdit

homosexual (plural homosexuals)

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

Usage notesEdit

• 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).

Derived termsEdit

• fagmosexual

SynonymsEdit

• 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 gays and allies.

TranslationsEdit

AdjectiveEdit

homosexual

1. homosexual

PronunciationEdit

• IPA^(key): [omusəksuˈaɫ] (Barcelona, Eastern Catalan)
• IPA^(key): [omoseksuˈaɫ] (Valencian, Western Catalan)

AdjectiveEdit

homosexual m, f (masculine and feminine plural homosexuals)

1. homosexual

NounEdit

homosexual m, f (plural homosexuals)

1. homosexual

Related termsEdit

• homosexualitat

EtymologyEdit

French homosexuel.

PronunciationEdit

• IPA^(key): [homoseksuˈal]

AdjectiveEdit

homosexual ^{4 nom/acc forms}

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.

DeclensionEdit

NounEdit

homosexual m (plural homosexuali; feminine equivalent homosexuală)

1. homosexual

DeclensionEdit

Related termsEdit

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

EtymologyEdit

From homo- +‎ sexual.

AdjectiveEdit

homosexual m, f (plural homosexuales)

1. homosexual

   Comportamiento homosexual se observa con frecuencia entre los mamíferos.

   Homosexual behaviour is frequently observed among mammals.

NounEdit

homosexual m, f (plural homosexuales)

1. homosexual

AntonymsEdit

• heterosexual

Related termsEdit

• homosexualidad
• maricón (pejorative)