What does homosexual mean?
Homosexual is a word for romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same sex. It can function as an adjective, as in “homosexual people” or “homosexual orientation,” and formerly as a noun meaning a person with that attraction. In current usage, the adjective is still standard, particularly in legal, historical, medical, and academic writing, but it can sound clinical or impersonal. The noun use is dated and often offensive because many people prefer the more personal terms “gay” and “lesbian.” The word is related to “homosexuality,” while “heterosexual” expresses the contrasting orientation. Its combination of Greek and Latin roots reflects the attempt by late-19th-century medical and legal writers to describe same-sex attraction systematically. Although the term can be useful in formal and historical contexts, it should not be imposed on individuals as the label they use for themselves.
Characterized by romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same sex; relating to such attraction.
"The exhibition examines how law and medicine represented homosexual people in the twentieth century."
Still formal and understood, but clinical or impersonal in many contemporary contexts; “gay” is often preferred when describing a person or community.
A person who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
"Some older accounts describe an individual as a homosexual, reflecting the terminology of their time."
Dated and potentially offensive; “gay,” “lesbian,” or another self-chosen identity is normally preferred.
The regular plural is grammatically correct but uncommon in contemporary usage, as “gay people” and similar expressions are generally preferred.
"The text criticizes the legal treatment of homosexuals in the period it describes."
A once-clinical term born in late-19th-century medical writing, “homosexual” gave its name to a modern understanding of sexual orientation long before “gay” became the everyday word of choice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homosexual come from?
The English word homosexual was formed in the late 19th century from Greek homoios, meaning “same,” and Latin sexualis, meaning “sexual” or “pertaining to sex.” It emerged in medical, legal, and sexological writing during a period when same-sex attraction was being discussed in increasingly systematic terms. Its Greek and Latin elements connect it with other homo- words such as homologous and homogeneous. The term later became established in general English, although everyday preference shifted toward “gay” and “lesbian.”
Related word forms
How homosexual is actually used
As an adjective, the word remains understandable and formally acceptable, especially in legal, historical, medical, and academic contexts, though it can sound clinical or impersonal. As a noun, it is generally dated and may be regarded as offensive; use “gay,” “lesbian,” or another term preferred by the person or community concerned.
Easily confused with homosexual
Homogeneous means uniform or alike throughout, whereas homosexual relates to romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same sex.