homosexual
[ hoh-muh-sek-shoo-uhl or, especially British, -seks-yoo- ]
/ ˌhoʊ məˈsɛk ʃu əl or, especially British, -ˈsɛks yu- /
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usage alert about homosexual
Up until 1973, homosexuality was listed in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), psychiatry's standard reference on the classification of mental illness. People aware of this former categorization feel that the term homosexual still carries a negative connotation. And many feel that this word places undue emphasis on sexual activity, or that it sounds overly clinical. In fact, homosexual as an adjective and noun has been mostly replaced by gay except in medical or other formal contexts. People who still use homosexual are usually unaware that the term is a sensitive one, although some do use it with intent to cause offense. However, not all members of the gay community object to it. See also gay.
adjective
Often Disparaging and Offensive. sexually attracted to people of one's own sex or gender; gay: homosexual couples.
Often Disparaging and Offensive. of or relating to sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of one's own sex or gender: the homosexual subculture.
Archaic. of, relating to, or noting the same sex: to give birth to homosexual twins.
noun
Often Disparaging and Offensive. a person, especially a male, who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex or gender.
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OTHER WORDS FROM homosexual
an·ti·ho·mo·sex·u·al, adjectiveWords nearby homosexual
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for homosexual
British Dictionary definitions for homosexual
homosexual
/ (ˌhəʊməʊˈsɛksjʊəl, ˌhɒm-) /
noun
a person who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex
adjective
of or relating to homosexuals or homosexuality
of or relating to the same sex
Compare heterosexual
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
Medical definitions for homosexual
homosexual
[ hō′mə-sĕk′shōō-əl, -mō- ]
adj.
Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.
n.
A homosexual person; a gay man or a lesbian.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.