homoerotic

American  

[hoh-moh-i-rot-ik] / ˌhoʊ moʊ ɪˈrɒt ɪk /

adjective

1. (especially of art, literature, drama, or the like) using symbolism, allusions, situations, etc., that invoke sexual attraction or activity between people of the same gender.

   There's definitely some homoerotic subtext in that book.

2. having sexual attraction to people of one's own sex or gender, especially when that attraction is repressed.

   To say a man has a “streak of lavender” means that he has homoerotic desires.

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noun

1. Older Use. a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the same sex or gender.

homoerotic British  

/ ˌhəʊməʊɪˈrɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of, concerning, or arousing sexual desire for persons of one's own sex

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Etymology

Origin of homoerotic

First recorded in 1910–15; homo- ( def. ) + erotic ( def. )

Example Sentences

The first nine chapters describe Graves’s school days, including his homoerotic experiences, at Charterhouse, and his friendship with George Mallory, the doomed mountaineer.

From The Guardian • Nov. 28, 2016

Parkinson draws on David Hockney, ancient Egyptian papyri, Grecian urns with homoerotic imagery and dozens of other artifacts for a historical and cultural look at same-sex experiences.

From Washington Times • Jun. 17, 2014

But I had spent a great deal of time debating the text with a man I was seeing, and we’d had long, undergraduate-style conversations about the homoerotic subtext of the book.

From Salon • May 10, 2013

Vidal also worked in Hollywood, writing the script for "Suddenly Last Summer" and adding a subtle homoerotic context to "Ben-Hur."

From Seattle Times • Aug. 1, 2012

It’s less homoerotic than a clear antidote to the physical isolation of their posting, according to the filmmakers.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2010