drag queen

American  

[drag kween] / ˈdræg ˌkwin /

noun

Slang.

1. a performer, typically one who was assigned male at birth, whose act involves a stylized and exaggerated interpretation of femininity that plays with stereotypical gender themes.

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drag queen British  

noun

1. a male who dresses as a woman and impersonates female characteristics for public entertainment

2. slang a male transvestite

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drag queen Idioms  

1. A male transvestite; also, a female impersonator. For example, He was surprised to find out that Roxanne was actually a drag queen. This term uses the slang noun drag in the sense of “female attire worn by a man” (a usage dating from about 1870; also see in drag). [Offensive slang; c. 1940]

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Etymology

Origin of drag queen

First recorded in 1960–65; drag (in the sense “wearing clothes characteristic with a different sex”) + queen (in the sense “flamboyantly effeminate gay man”)

Compare meaning

How does drag-queen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• drag queen vs. transvestite

Example Sentences

Drag queen Pattie Gonia is asking fans for help fighting Patagonia, the popular outdoor apparel and gear company, which has sued the outspoken environmental activist for trademark infringement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Drag queen Peppe Pig said the pageant gave her the opportunity to travel outside her home country of Guatemala, and that drag has helped her meet new friends and her current partner.

From Reuters • Jul. 15, 2023

Drag queen Danny Beard told BBC Breakfast that the star was "the most important person in British culture for drag".

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2023

Drag queen bingo nights, friendsgiving and Christmas dinners, birthday celebrations became staples of Club Q which was open 365 days a year.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 24, 2022

Drag queen and “taco extraordinaire” Kay Sedia, the tour’s host, was joined in Las Vegas by three local men who perform professionally dressed as women: Anetra, Mirage Amuro and Coco Montrese.

From Washington Times • May 6, 2022

Related Words

• bio queen
• drag artist