tribade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely LowArchaic, Literary, Historical, Offensive/Pejorative in modern contexts
Quick answer
What does “tribade” mean?
A historical term for a woman who engages in sexual activity with another woman, specifically one who takes a sexually active or penetrative role.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical term for a woman who engages in sexual activity with another woman, specifically one who takes a sexually active or penetrative role.
In classical and historical contexts, a lesbian or a woman who practices tribadism (sexual rubbing, often as a form of simulated intercourse). The term is now obsolete, highly archaic, and often considered derogatory or pathologizing in modern usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning or usage, as the term is uniformly archaic. Might be marginally more recognized in UK academic contexts due to stronger classical education traditions.
Connotations
Uniformly archaic, clinical/historical, and offensive if applied to a living person. Carries strong connotations of antiquated sexology and misogynistic labeling.
Frequency
Effectively zero in both varieties. Its use is confined to specialist historical or queer theory discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “tribade” in a Sentence
[Noun Phrase: a/the] tribade[Adjective] tribadetribade [Prepositional Phrase: of/in]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tribade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No modern usage as a verb. The related action is 'to trib', also obsolete.)
American English
- (No modern usage as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form in use.)
American English
- (No adverb form in use.)
adjective
British English
- The pamphlet described tribade acts in condemnatory language.
American English
- His research focused on tribade identities in Renaissance literature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical, gender studies, or literary criticism contexts when analyzing outdated terminology. Example: 'The 18th-century medical text pathologized the subject as a tribade.'
Everyday
Never used; would be incomprehensible to most and offensive if understood.
Technical
Rarely in historical sexology or classical studies to denote the specific ancient concept or early modern medical category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tribade”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tribade”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tribade”
- Using it as a current, neutral synonym for 'lesbian'.
- Assuming it is a standard English word.
- Pronouncing it with stress on the second syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely not. It is an archaic and offensive term rooted in pathologizing female homosexuality. Use contemporary, respectful terms like 'lesbian' or 'gay woman'.
It derives from the Greek 'tribas' (from 'tribein', meaning 'to rub'), used in antiquity. It was revived in European languages from the 16th century onwards in medical and legal contexts.
Both are historical terms. 'Tribade' often carried a more specific, clinical, and derogatory connotation focused on sexual practice (rubbing), while 'sapphist' (from Sappho) was more literary and romantic, though also dated.
No. It is a passive recognition word only for advanced learners interested in historical linguistics, gender studies, or classical literature. It is not for active use in speech or writing.
A historical term for a woman who engages in sexual activity with another woman, specifically one who takes a sexually active or penetrative role.
Tribade is usually archaic, literary, historical, offensive/pejorative in modern contexts in register.
Tribade: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtrɪbədi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtrɪbəd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'tribe' of ancient women the word references, and its 'bad' (offensive) modern connotation: 'The ancient TRIBe had a BAD term for some women.'
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN AS MALE IMITATOR (archaic, based on penetrative role).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you legitimately encounter the word 'tribade' today?