queer-coded

American

[kweer-koh-did] / ˈkwɪərˌkoʊ dɪd /

adjective

(of a fictional character) implied to be LGBT+ through deliberate subtext or use of stereotypes, but never explicitly confirmed to be so.

Even among female audiences, hunks get big bonus points for being gay, or at least queer-coded.
One of the novel's most incongruous elements is its villain, the queer-coded evil baron.

Etymology

Origin of queer-coded

First recorded in 1995–2000

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.

In a theatrical culture where queer-coded characters were frequently played for ridicule, Bhaduri's work carried a different weight.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Velma may well be an archetype of the queer-coded character for many fans.

From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2022

When she jokes to Mabel that Charles and Oliver going off to have a private "adult conversation" sounds "queer-coded," there's nothing accusatory in her statement, simply curious and friendly.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2022

While characters like Ursula have been embraced by queer fans, it’s now understood that relegating queer and queer-coded characters to roles as villains or punchlines is harmful.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2022

Its newest incarnation, "The Matrix Resurrections," features an entire cast of queer-coded characters.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023