homosexuality

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 See also 1.5 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Greek homo, same + sexuality, from Late Latin sexualitas, sexuality, state of being male or female

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

homosexuality (plural homosexualities)

1. The state of being sexually attracted primarily to persons of the same sex.
2. Sexual activity with a person of the same sex.

[edit] Usage notes

Homosexuality in women is also known as lesbianism. As homosexuality applies to people of either sex, the expression homosexuality and lesbianism is redundant and is best replaced by homosexuality or lesbianism alone as appropriate. Different cultural constructions of same-sex love are collectively referred to as homosexualities.

[edit] Synonyms

• gayness (colloquial)
• lesbianism (applied only to women)
• uranism (rare)

[edit] Antonyms

• heterosexuality
• straightness (slang)

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• bisexuality
• pederasty

[edit] Related terms

• homosexual
• gay
• lesbian
• GLBT