homophile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / HistoricalAcademic, Historical, Formal
Quick answer
What does “homophile” mean?
Relating to love or friendship between people of the same sex, particularly used historically to refer to gay or lesbian people and advocacy organizations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to love or friendship between people of the same sex, particularly used historically to refer to gay or lesbian people and advocacy organizations.
A term, now largely historical, used in the mid-20th century for a person who experiences same-sex attraction, or for advocacy movements predating the modern 'gay liberation' era. It can also denote something characteristic of or related to such individuals or movements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage, as the term is historical. Both regions used it similarly in activist and academic circles of the 1950s-1970s.
Connotations
Archival, dated, pre-Stonewall era. Can carry connotations of a more assimilationist or discreet political approach compared to later 'gay liberation'.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to appear in British or European historical texts discussing early organisations like the Dutch COC or the British Homosexual Law Reform Society.
Grammar
How to Use “homophile” in a Sentence
[adj.] homophile + noun (e.g., homophile organisation)[n.] a/the homophile[as a modifier] the homophile pressVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homophile” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The 1960s saw several important homophile publications in London.
- Their strategy was a classic homophile approach of seeking dialogue with authorities.
American English
- The Mattachine Society was a pioneering homophile organization in the US.
- He wrote for a homophile magazine under a pseudonym.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or gender studies texts to refer to pre-1970s LGBTQ+ activism and identity. Example: 'The homophile movement focused on respectability and legal reform.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be confusing to most contemporary listeners.
Technical
Specific to historical discourse on sexuality. Not used in other technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homophile”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homophile”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homophile”
- Using it as a contemporary synonym for 'gay' or 'homosexual'.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈhəʊməfaɪl/ (like 'home') instead of /ˈhɒməfaɪl/ (like 'homo-').
- Confusing it with 'homophobe'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, in terms of reference to same-sex attraction. However, 'homophile' was a term chosen to focus on love and friendship, and it carries specific historical and political connotations from the mid-20th century that 'homosexual' does not.
No. Using 'homophile' to describe a contemporary person would be incorrect, archaic, and potentially confusing or offensive, as it ignores decades of linguistic and social change. Use terms like 'gay', 'lesbian', 'queer', or 'LGBTQ+' as appropriate.
It was largely replaced after the Stonewall riots (1969) and the rise of the 'Gay Liberation' movement, which favoured the term 'gay' for its positive, assertive, and community-focused connotations, moving away from the more clinical or discreet tones of 'homophile' and 'homosexual'.
They are near opposites. A 'homophile' (historically) is someone attracted to the same sex. A 'homophobe' is someone with a fear, dislike, or prejudice against homosexual people. The suffix '-phile' means 'lover of', while '-phobe' means 'fearer of'.
Relating to love or friendship between people of the same sex, particularly used historically to refer to gay or lesbian people and advocacy organizations.
Homophile is usually academic, historical, formal in register.
Homophile: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒmə(ʊ)ˌfʌɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːməˌfaɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'homo-' (same) + '-phile' (lover of). It's the 'love of the same' term used before 'gay' became widespread.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE/PHILIA AS IDENTITY (framing same-sex attraction through the lens of love/friendship rather than sexual acts).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'homophile' be most appropriately used today?