drag queen

American  

[drag kween] / ˈdræg ˌkwin /

noun

Slang.

• drag queens
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• drag queens
  plural

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

See Examples For:

drag queen

In 2023, when Texas politicians sought to criminalize many drag performances, Parton backed a drag queen fighting the legislation in a way that was uniquely Dolly.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

A drag queen takes the stage and dancers move with her in unison.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

A drag queen would cut through the room like a flare.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

O'Grady rose to fame in the 1990s with his drag queen persona and went on to present BBC One game show Blankety Blank.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

Pearl and Moody, looking on in bemusement, didn’t even glance at the screen, and Lexie had interrupted before Trip was halfway through his case for the drag queen.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• bio queen
• drag artist