LESBIAN Definition & Meaning

lesbian

[ lez-bee-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

1. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women; a gay woman.
2. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to other women; a gay woman.
Lesbian, an inhabitant of the island of Lesbos.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of her own sex or gender.
2. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of her own sex or gender.
Sometimes Lesbian. erotic; sensual
Lesbian, of or relating to Lesbos.

lesbian

/ ˈ��ɛ��ɪə�� /

noun

a female homosexual

adjective

of or characteristic of lesbians

Lesbian

/ ˈ��ɛ��ɪə�� /

noun

a native or inhabitant of Lesbos
the Aeolic dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Lesbos

adjective

of or relating to Lesbos
of or relating to the poetry of Lesbos, esp that of Sappho

lesbian

A homosexual woman. ( See also gay .)

Discover More

Usage Note

What's the difference between lesbian and Sapphic? See gay ( def ).

Discover More

Derived Forms

ˈ��Ծ��, noun

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lesbian¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin Lesbi(us) “Lesbian” (from Greek ��é��ǲ�, equivalent to ��é��(�ǲ�) “Lesbos” ( Lesbos ) + -ios adjective suffix) + -an; lesbian defs 1, 3 allude to the poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose verse deals largely with her emotional relationships with other women

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lesbian¹

C19: from the homosexuality attributed to Sappho

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Singing the chorus “If she ever leaves me / It won’t be for you,” the group tells a typical country narrative but from a lesbian perspective.

From

Just over a third of those who identified as gay/lesbian were not familiar with the risks of chemsex, the study also found.

From

Before that though, there's been slim pickings for mainstream pop songs that celebrate authentic lesbian relationships.

From

Price said the strike also shaped him personally, as he recalled the gay and lesbian support groups who visited Ammanford.

From

I remember in my early 20s in Toronto, there were tons of amazing lesbian or queer bars that aren’t around anymore.

From

Browse