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

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

The turn came in 2014, with the highly publicised victory of Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, Jordan added.

From Barron's ● May 16, 2026

Shahniani doesn’t perform as a drag queen, but he enjoys dressing up as ’Naynay for different events and theme park visits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026

Lindsey’s mom knew a guy, Chuck, who was a drag queen, Chastity St. Claire, and Lindsey had seen him perform at a charity thing.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth

Related Words

• bio queen
• drag artist