homosexuality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Academic / Clinical
Quick answer
What does “homosexuality” mean?
The state of being sexually or romantically attracted primarily or exclusively to people of one's own sex.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being sexually or romantically attracted primarily or exclusively to people of one's own sex.
The condition or quality of experiencing sexual desire, attraction, or engaging in sexual activity with persons of the same sex. In broader contexts, it can refer to the cultural, social, and psychological identity associated with this orientation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Both regions use the term formally. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries a formal, sometimes clinical or historical connotation, especially compared to identity-first language like 'gay man' or 'lesbian woman'.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in formal British contexts (e.g., legal, historical documents) due to earlier decriminalization debates. In US academic discourse, it is equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “homosexuality” in a Sentence
Homosexuality in + [place/era] (Homosexuality in ancient Greece)Homosexuality among + [group] (Homosexuality among adolescents)attitudes to/toward homosexualitythe decriminalization of homosexualityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homosexuality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No direct verb form. Use 'to be gay/homosexual' or phrase with verb: 'to engage in homosexual acts'.
American English
- [No direct verb form. Use 'to identify as gay' or 'to have same-sex attraction'.
adverb
British English
- [No direct adverb form. Use 'homosexually': an archaic/clinical term rarely used, e.g., 'behaving homosexually'.]
American English
- [No direct adverb form in contemporary usage.]
adjective
British English
- The report analysed homosexual behaviour in the population.
- Homosexual acts were decriminalised in 1967.
American English
- The study focused on homosexual attraction in adolescents.
- The legal case concerned homosexual marriage rights.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy documents. e.g., 'The company's non-discrimination policy includes protections based on sexuality.'
Academic
Common in sociology, psychology, history, and gender studies. e.g., 'The paper examines social constructions of homosexuality in the 19th century.'
Everyday
Less common; identity-first language is preferred. e.g., 'He is gay' rather than 'He practices homosexuality.'
Technical
Used in medical, legal, and psychological diagnostic/classification manuals (e.g., ICD, DSM), though modern versions often use more specific terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homosexuality”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homosexuality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homosexuality”
- Using 'a homosexuality' (it is uncountable).
- Pronouncing it as /ˌhɒm.əʊ.../ in British English (the first 'o' is short).
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a homosexuality man' is incorrect; use 'homosexual' or 'gay').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently offensive, but it is formal and clinical. In personal contexts, using identity-first language like 'gay', 'lesbian', or 'queer' (if the person uses it) is generally more respectful and preferred.
'Homosexuality' is a formal, abstract noun referring to the orientation or concept. 'Gay' is primarily an adjective (or noun) used as an identity label (for men, or sometimes inclusively). 'Gay' is the term used in everyday language and community contexts.
Using 'homosexual' as a noun ("a homosexual") was common in mid-20th century clinical and general usage. It is now often considered reductionist and impersonal, as it defines a person solely by their sexuality. The adjective form ('a homosexual person') or identity labels ('a gay man') are preferred.
Yes, it is a generic term. However, for specificity, 'lesbianism' or 'female homosexuality' is used for women, and 'male homosexuality' for men. The umbrella term 'same-sex attraction' is also used.
The state of being sexually or romantically attracted primarily or exclusively to people of one's own sex.
Homosexuality is usually formal / academic / clinical in register.
Homosexuality: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒm.əˌsek.ʃuˈæl.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊ.moʊˌsek.ʃuˈæl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly use this word. It is a technical term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HOMO' meaning 'same' (as in homogeneous) + 'SEXUALITY' = sexuality toward the same gender.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as an INHERENT ORIENTATION (a direction one faces) or a SPECTRUM (part of a continuum, as in the Kinsey scale). Historically conceptualized as an ILLNESS or DEVIATION (now largely rejected).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'homosexuality' LEAST likely to be used in modern everyday English?