Lesbian: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in everyday language to describe a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women. Widely accepted and neutral.

• She identifies as a lesbian.
• The movie features a lesbian couple.

Often used interchangeably with 'lesbian,' this term is neutral and widely understood but might be less specific in certain contexts.

• She is a gay woman.
• They support gay women's rights.

Scientific or formal term used in clinical or academic settings. May come off as clinical or outdated in casual conversation.

• The study includes data on homosexual women.
• She is a homosexual woman.

A literary or historical term derived from Sappho, a poet from ancient Greece. Often used in poetry, literature, or historical contexts. May not be widely understood in everyday conversations.

• She writes sapphist poetry.
• The book explores sapphist themes.

Used to describe a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women. This term is common in both casual and formal contexts.

• She came out as a lesbian when she was 20.
• They attended a lesbian pride event.

A more scientific or formal term used to describe someone who is attracted to the same sex. It tends to be used in medical, psychological, or legal contexts rather than casual conversation.

• The research focused on homosexual behavior.
• He identified as homosexual in the survey.

Usually used to describe a man who is romantically or sexually attracted to other men, but can also be an umbrella term for anyone who is attracted to the same sex. This word is widely accepted and used in both casual and formal settings.

• He announced he was gay.
• The parade celebrates the gay community.

Refers to romantic or sexual attraction between women, often used in a literary or historical context. This term is less common in everyday speech but can appear in discussions about literature, history, or culture.

• The poem explores sapphic love.
• She was intrigued by the sapphic themes in the novel.