Lesbian
A lesbian is a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to women.
A lesbian is a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to women. The term is also used more broadly in LGBTQ+ contexts for some non-binary people who identify with lesbian communities, though usage varies by person and source. In Canada, the term is relevant to discussions of LGBTQ+ language, identity, and rights, appearing in francophone resources such as Interligne.
Definition
Lesbian is a sexual orientation and identity describing attraction to women. In general usage, it refers to women who are attracted to women, though community-specific usage can be broader. The most common definition is a woman attracted to other women emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually.
Etymology
The term derives from Lesbos, the Greek island associated with the poet Sappho. This association has made Sappho an enduring cultural reference in discussions of female same-sex attraction.
Usage in French
French dictionaries define lesbienne primarily as a noun meaning a female homosexual and as an adjective relating to female homosexuality. The French term is linked to the same etymological roots from Lesbos and Sappho.
Community and identity
In contemporary LGBTQ+ discourse, the word can refer not only to a sexual orientation but also to a social identity and community with shared experiences. Usage can vary in LGBTQ+ communities, and some non-binary people also identify as lesbian.
Key facts
- The most common definition is a woman attracted to other women emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually.
- Dictionaries in French define the noun as a female homosexual and the adjective as relating to female homosexuality.
- The word is linked etymologically to Lesbos, associated with the ancient Greek poet Sappho.
- Usage can vary in LGBTQ+ communities, and some non-binary people also identify as lesbian.
- The term is part of broader LGBTQ+ vocabulary and identity discussions.
The term is relevant to Canadian LGBTQ+ language, identity, and rights discussions, and appears in francophone Canadian resources such as Interligne.[13]
Frequently asked questions
What does lesbian mean?
Is lesbian a noun or an adjective?
Where does the word come from?
Can non-binary people identify as lesbian?
Is lesbian the same as homosexual?
References
- SOS homophobie — https://www.sos-homophobie.org/informer/definitions/lesbienneSupports: Definition of lesbian as a person attracted emotionally, physically and/or sexually to women; etymology linked to Sappho and Lesbos.
- Interligne — https://interligne.co/question-frequente/quest-ce-quune-personne-lesbienne/Supports: Definition of a lesbian person; notes broader community usage including some non-binary people; Canadian francophone context.
- Larousse — https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/lesbien/46751Supports: French dictionary definitions of lesbien/lesbienne as relating to female homosexuality and female homosexual.
- CNRTL — https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/lesbienneSupports: Etymology, dictionary meanings, and historical usage of lesbienne in French.
- Wiktionnaire — https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/lesbienneSupports: Origin from Lesbos and Sappho; historical note on adoption of the term.
- Wikipédia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/LesbianismeSupports: General overview of lesbianism as attraction between women and related identity/community usage.