homosexual

[ hoh-muh-sek-shoo-uhlor, especially British, -seks-yoo- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
Archaic. of, relating to, or noting the same sex:
She gave birth to homosexual twins.

noun

Often Disparaging and Offensive.
1. a person, especially a man, who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex or gender.
2. a person, especially a man, who is sexually attracted exclusively to people of the same sex or gender.

homosexual

/ ˌhɒm-; ˌhəʊməʊˈsɛksjʊəl /

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

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Usage Alert

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. gay.

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Other Word Forms

��·�پ�·��·��·��·��·�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of homosexual¹

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexual

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It is an issue that seems to unite the continent, where homosexual relationships are outlawed in many countries.

From

As a practicing homosexual who supports abortion rights, I don’t think the Church is counting on me to be its champion at drag brunch.

From

“He’s tarnishing her character in front of the jury. Back then, there was not much grace given to homosexual relationships of any kind.”

From

"In reality, the increasingly brutal acts were directed against the homosexual community."

From

In France, a court awarded damages to a father of two who complained that Ropinirole had given him compulsive homosexual urges, while another man without a criminal record began torturing cats.

From

homoscedastic homosexuality

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