homosexuality

Pronunciation: /ˌhoʊməˌsɛkʃuˈælɪti/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex

Etymology

From homosexual + -ity, equivalent to homo- + sexuality and after the model of German Homosexualität, coined by journalist Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1869, and French homosexualité, attested in 1891.

In classic literature

Synonyms

homosexualism, homoeroticism, queerness, gayness

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
sexual activity
Narrower (hyponyms)
inversion, pederasty, lesbianism

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