gayness
Americannoun
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gay or lesbian sexual orientation or behavior.
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Older Use. the state or quality of being bright or showy.
the gayness of the décor.
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Older Use. the state or quality of being merry or lively.
her gayness of spirit.
Etymology
Origin of gayness
First recorded in 1400–50 gayness for defs. 2, 3, and in 1950–55 gayness for def. 1; Middle English gaynesse, gainesse ; gay ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And while Tierney has cleverly adapted Reid’s novel to reflect the wider gay experience more accurately, it does not depict gayness with complete authenticity simply because there is no one true way to be gay.
From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026
In a world that often equates gayness with flamboyance, Vasquez and Garcia stand out.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2024
According to Mr. Hoddeson, who is financing Gay Water with his own money plus backing from family and friends, his brightly colored cans are leaning into their gayness instead of avoiding it.
From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2023
Not Manning’s gayness, which she revealed to her father only to be met with an “Okay?” as he threw up his hands.
From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2022
“I just mean like, being as surrounded by gayness as you are—Oh God, am I allowed to say ‘gayness’?”
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
