homosexual
gb/hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/ us/hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
B1
English
~ 4600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Attracted to same-sex individuals
Liking or loving people of the same sex in a sexual way.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is homosexual
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'homosexual' with 'gay' in terms of register and connotation; 'gay' is more common in everyday conversation, while 'homosexual' can sound formal or clinical.
Synonyms
gay (Common and widely used; more informal and inclusive in modern usage.)
|
lesbian (Used specifically for women attracted to other women.)
Antonyms
heterosexual (Refers to being sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.)
Collocations
openly homosexual
|homosexual relationship
|homosexual man
|homosexual woman
Themes
relationships
|identity
|sexuality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He came out as homosexual in his early twenties.
- The film explores the life of a young homosexual man in the 1980s.
- Many homosexual couples are raising children together.
- She has been openly homosexual for many years.
Learner examples
- My friend is homosexual.
- He is homosexual and lives with his partner.
- A homosexual person likes people of the same sex.
- She told her family she was homosexual.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person attracted to same-sex individuals
A person who likes people of the same sex in a sexual way.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a homosexual
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'a homosexual' in contexts where 'gay man/woman/person' is more natural in modern English.
Synonyms
gay person (More common and inclusive term in everyday conversation.)
Antonyms
heterosexual (A person who is attracted to people of the opposite sex.)
Collocations
openly homosexual
|homosexual rights
|homosexual community
Themes
relationships
|identity
|sexuality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The law protects homosexuals from discrimination.
- He identifies as a homosexual.
- Homosexuals have fought for equal marriage rights for decades.
Learner examples
- He is a homosexual.
- Some homosexuals marry their partners.
- The city has many homosexuals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
homosexual
IPA
GB/hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
US/hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
ho - mo - sexu - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sexu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: homosexual
Noun
- Base: homosexual
- Plural: homosexuals
Word family
Forms
homosexuals
noun
Core family
homosexuality
noun B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
heterosexual
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
homosexually
adverb
Expressions
homosexual relationship
1/hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
Same-sex romantic relationship
A love or sexual relationship between two people of the same sex.
Examples
- They have been in a homosexual relationship for over ten years.
- The novel tells the story of a secret homosexual relationship.
openly homosexual
1/ˈoʊpənli hˌoʊmoʊsˈɛkʃuəl/
fixed phrase
Publicly identifying as homosexual
Saying in public that you like people of the same sex in a sexual way.
Examples
- The actor is openly homosexual and speaks about LGBTQ+ issues.
- She has been openly homosexual since her teenage years.