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Lesbian vs Lesbianism - What's the difference?

lesbian | lesbianism |

As nouns the difference between lesbian and lesbianism

is that lesbian is a native or inhabitant of lesbos while lesbianism is female homosexuality; the state (of a woman) of being attracted to other women.

As an adjective lesbian

is of or pertaining to the island of lesbos.

lesbian

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (of a woman) Homosexual; preferring female romantic or sexual partners.
  • She is lesbian .
  • (of a romantic or sexual act or relationship) Between two women; homosexual.
  • She's involved in a lesbian relationship.
    Lesbian marriage is still illegal in some nations.
  • * 2011 , Michael Bruce, ?Robert M. Stewart, College Sex - Philosophy for Everyone (ISBN 1444341448), page 32:
  • (especially of an institution or group) Intended for lesbians.
  • We're going to a lesbian bar tonight.
  • * 2000 , Bonnie Zimmerman, Encyclopedia of lesbian and gay histories and cultures , volume 1, page 135:
  • Some lesbians also felt comfortable in the entertainment clubs in the black section of the city; these clubs were not lesbian but were lesbian friendly.
  • * 2008 , Carl Abbott, How cities won the West: four centuries of urban change , page 283:
  • Openly gay poets such as Allen Ginsberg were prominent among the beats, and many North Beach bars were gay and lesbian as well as bohemian.

    Synonyms

    * , gay (preferred by some lesbians), homosexual (not specific to female homosexuality) * , gay (preferred by some lesbians), homosexual (not specific to female homosexuality)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A homosexual female, a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women.
  • Synonyms

    * sapphist * (offensive) Amy-John, beaver eater, beanflicker, boondagger, bulldiker, bulldyker, carpet muncher, clam smacker, crack snacker, cunt-lapper, donut bumper, dyke, lesbianist, lezzer, lezzie, lezzo, rug muncher, scissor sister, todger dodger, vagitarian, clitorist * See also

    Hypernyms

    * LGBT * gay * homosexual * queer

    Derived terms

    * hasbian * wasbian

    See also

    *

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    lesbianism

    English

    Noun

  • Female homosexuality; the state (of a woman) of being attracted to other women.
  • Synonyms

    *gayness * homosexuality

    Hypernyms

    *LGBT