homo
[ hoh-moh ]
/ ˈhoʊ moʊ /
Save This Word!
noun, plural ho·mos.Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay person, especially a gay man.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of homo
First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening of homosexual
Other definitions for homo (2 of 3)
Homo
[ hoh-moh ]
/ ˈhoʊ moʊ /
noun
the genus of bipedal primates that includes modern humans and several extinct forms, distinguished by their large brains and a dependence upon tools.Compare archaic Homo.
Facetious. (used in made-up taxonomic expressions to denote a type of human being): The door opens, and in walks Homo stupidus.
Origin of Homo
Other definitions for homo (3 of 3)
homo-
a combining form appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “same” (homology); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (homomorphic).
Also especially before a vowel, hom-.
Origin of homo-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use homo in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for homo (1 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for homo (2 of 4)
homo2
/ (ˈhəʊməʊ) /
noun
Canadian informal homogenized milk
British Dictionary definitions for homo (3 of 4)
Homo
/ (ˈhəʊməʊ) /
noun
a genus of hominids including modern man (see Homo sapiens) and several extinct species of primitive man, including Homo habilis and Homo erectus
Word Origin for Homo
Latin: man
British Dictionary definitions for homo (4 of 4)
Word Origin for homo-
via Latin from Greek, from homos same
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for homo
homo-
A prefix meaning same, as in homogamous, having the same kind of flower.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for homo
Homo
[ (hoh-moh) ]
The genus to which human beings belong. The genus Homo includes Neanderthals and other hominids closely related to today's humans, such as Homo erectus.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.