homophobia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High (Common in sociopolitical, social justice, and news discourse).Formal, academic, journalistic, activist. Less common in very casual conversation unless discussing the topic.
Quick answer
What does “homophobia” mean?
Dislike, prejudice, fear, or hatred of gay people, or of homosexuality more broadly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Dislike, prejudice, fear, or hatred of gay people, or of homosexuality more broadly.
Discriminatory attitudes, behaviors, or policies based on prejudice against gay people; more recently, can sometimes be applied to prejudice against any LGBTQ+ identities, though this is debated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more frequent in UK academic/sociological writing. In US political discourse, it is a more potent label.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotation in mainstream progressive discourse. May be used as a political accusation. Some conservative commentators reject the term as pejorative.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties when discussing LGBTQ+ rights and social issues.
Grammar
How to Use “homophobia” in a Sentence
[Verb] homophobia (e.g., 'challenge', 'perpetuate', 'tackle')Homophobia [verb] (e.g., 'homophobia exists', 'homophobia manifests')Homophobia in [place/field] (e.g., 'homophobia in the workplace')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homophobia” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The charity works to address homophobia in schools across the UK.
- His comments were widely condemned as blatant homophobia.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referenced in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and training concerning LGBTQ+ employees.
Academic
Key term in sociology, psychology, gender studies, and political science for analyzing prejudice.
Everyday
Used in discussions of news, politics, and personal experiences of discrimination.
Technical
Used in psychological and sociological diagnostics and surveys measuring attitudes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homophobia”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homophobia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homophobia”
- Using it to describe a fear of homosexuals in a purely clinical sense (like a phobia of spiders); it is a sociopolitical term for prejudice.
- Spelling: confusing 'homo-' with 'homeo-'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He has a homophobia') – it's generally uncountable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, it refers to prejudice against gay men and homosexuality broadly. While sometimes used for prejudice against other LGBTQ+ groups, specific terms like 'biphobia' and 'transphobia' are more precise. Using it for all can be seen as erasing distinct forms of bias.
Yes, 'homophobic' is the corresponding adjective (e.g., 'homophobic attitudes', 'a homophobic law'). Calling a person 'a homophobe' is common but highly confrontational.
'Homophobia' emphasizes active prejudice, fear, or hatred. 'Heterosexism' emphasizes the systemic privileging of heterosexuality as the norm, which can be unconscious and does not necessarily involve active malice.
It was coined in the late 1960s by psychologist George Weinberg, entering wider use in the 1970s with the gay rights movement.
Dislike, prejudice, fear, or hatred of gay people, or of homosexuality more broadly.
Homophobia is usually formal, academic, journalistic, activist. less common in very casual conversation unless discussing the topic. in register.
Homophobia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒm.əˈfəʊ.bi.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊ.məˈfoʊ.bi.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bastion of homophobia”
- “To be steeped in homophobia”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HOMO' (same, as in homosexual) + 'PHOBIA' (fear/aversion). Fear/aversion of homosexuals.
Conceptual Metaphor
Homophobia is a DISEASE (to eradicate, a societal illness) / a BARRIER (to inclusion, to be dismantled).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase BEST describes the modern academic use of 'homophobia'?