Definition & Meaning
- Homosexual (adjective & noun)
- Pronunciation: /ˌhoʊməˈsɛkʃuəl/
- Meaning: Describes a person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
Grammatical Formation
- Adjective:a homosexual relationship
- Noun:He identifies as a homosexual.
Word Comparisons
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| homosexual | Same‑sex attraction |
| heterosexual | Opposite‑sex attraction |
| bisexual | Attraction to both same and opposite sexes |
| gay | Informal for a homosexual person (often male‑identified) |
| lesbian | A homosexual woman |
Changes with Prepositions
- homosexual with
He is homosexual with an open heart. (less common) - homosexual to
She’s homosexual to her best friend. (unidiomatic) - homosexual in
He’s homosexual in orientation. - homosexual for
He feels homosexual for his colleague. (rare)
Note: As a descriptive term, “homosexual” most often stands alone as an adjective or noun without additional prepositions.
Common Collocations & Idiomatic Usage
- Collocations:
- homosexual orientation
- homosexual relationship
- homosexual rights
- homosexual community
- Idioms/Expressions:
- closeted homosexual: someone who hides their same‑sex attraction
- come out as homosexual: publicly disclose one’s homosexual identity
Real‑Life Examples
- Adjective:
- They are in a homosexual relationship and live happily together.
- Noun:
- After high school, he realized he was a homosexual and came out to his family.
- Idiomatic:
- She was a closeted homosexual until she moved to a more accepting city.
- He decided to come out as homosexual during Pride month.
Synonyms & Antonyms
- Synonyms:queer, gay, same‑sex, sapphic, androphilic, gynephilic
- Antonyms: heterosexual, straight, opposite‑sex, allosexual
Related Terms
- LGBTQIA+
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
- bisexual
- lesbian
- gay
- queer
Connection to Sexuality
Yes—“homosexual” directly refers to sexual orientation, indicating attraction to individuals of the same sex. It is one of the primary categories used in discussions of human sexuality and identity.