Definition and Meaning of “Lesbian”
Pronunciation: /ˈlɛz.bi.ən/
Part of Speech: Noun (countable), Adjective
Definition:
A lesbian is a woman who is romantically, emotionally, or sexually attracted to other women. As an adjective, it describes anything related to female same-sex attraction or relationships, such as “lesbian love” or “lesbian rights.”
In Easy and Simple Words:
A lesbian is a woman who loves or feels attracted to other women. It can describe her identity or something related to her relationships.
Connection to Sexuality:
The word lesbian is directly connected to humansexual orientation. It specifically refers to female homosexuality—when women are attracted to other women. The term is part of the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum and plays an important role in personal identity, sexual rights, and gender expression.
Common Collocations:
- lesbian couple
- lesbian relationship
- openly lesbian
- lesbian rights
- lesbian community
- lesbian love
- lesbian identity
- lesbian romance
Sample Sentences:
- “She came out as a lesbian in college and felt more confident than ever.”
- “The film tells the story of a lesbian couple raising children together.”
- “Lesbian literature explores themes of love, identity, and resistance.”
- “Pride events celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.”
- “Being a lesbian doesn’t define her entirely—it’s one part of who she is.”
Changes in Meaning with Prepositions:
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| identify as a lesbian | Describes how a person views their own sexual orientation |
| come out as a lesbian | Publicly share one’s identity as a lesbian |
| be in a lesbian relationship | Involve romantically or sexually with another woman |
| support lesbian rights | Advocate for equal treatment and acceptance |
Word Comparisons:
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Lesbian | A woman attracted to other women |
| Gay (men) | A man attracted to other men |
| Gay (broad) | Sometimes used to refer to both male and female same-sex attraction |
| Bisexual | A person attracted to both men and women |
| Queer | Broad, fluid term for non-heterosexual identities |
Idiomatic or Cultural Usage:
- “Lesbian chic” – Fashion trend celebrating androgynous or lesbian-inspired styles
- “Lipstick lesbian” – Slang for a lesbian who presents in a traditionally feminine way
- “Lesbian icon” – A famous figure admired in the lesbian community (e.g., Ellen DeGeneres)
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms:
Synonyms: gay woman, sapphic woman, homosexual woman, WLW (woman-loving woman)
Antonyms:straight woman, heterosexual woman
Related Terms: gay, bisexual, queer, LGBTQ+, sexuality, identity, coming out, same-sex relationship, feminism, lesbian feminism, pride
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