homophobia
[ hoh-muh-foh-bee-uh ]
noun
an aversion or hostility to, disdain for, or fear of gay sexual orientation or gay people.
Origin of homophobia
1First recorded in 1960–65; homo(sexual) + -phobia; popularized by the American psychologist George Weinberg (1929–2017); an earlier sense “fear of men or humankind” was first recorded in the 1920s, from Latin homō “man, human being” + -phobia
usage note For homophobia
The combining form -phobia is used in some words that describe intolerance toward a group of people as defined by nationality, ancestry, sexual identity or orientation, creed, or race: homophobia , Islamophobia , transphobia . Though there is an element of fear when interacting with the unknown or the Other, words in this category are not primarily about anxiety; rather, these terms are commonly associated with hatred or disgust. The use of -phobia words to indicate hostility toward groups of people is therefore frequently criticized. Advocates and activists representing these groups recommend using the prefix anti- instead, in words such as antigay , anti-Islam , antitrans .
Other words from homophobia
- ho·mo·pho·bic, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use homophobia in a sentence
Was it a classic case of vote splitting between the four actors or ARE THE EMMYS HOMOPHOBIC???
The Biggest Emmys Snubs and Surprises: 'Modern Family,' McConaughey, and More | Kevin Fallon | August 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead he resorted to Homophobic Madness, the reflexive athlete comfort zone.
British Dictionary definitions for homophobia
homophobia
/ (ˌhəʊməʊˈfəʊbɪə) /
noun
intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality
Origin of homophobia
1C20: from homo (sexual) + -phobia
Derived forms of homophobia
- homophobe, noun
- homophobic, adjective
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
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