French word

lesbien

Pronunciation

IPA/lɛzbjɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlesbian

Example

Mon amie est une lesbienne.

My friend is a lesbian.

Illustration for lesbien (lesbian)

More examples

Lors de la réunion, elle s'est présentée comme lesbien.

At the meeting, she presented herself as a lesbian.

Core concept

A woman identified by attraction to women, whether the word stands alone or describes her.

Common phrases

  • être ouvertement lesbien

    be openly lesbian

  • se présenter comme lesbien

    present oneself as a lesbian

Similar words

homosexuel: A person romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
bisexuel: A person romantically or sexually attracted to both men and women.

Definition in French

Femme qui s'identifie comme attirée par d'autres femmes, emploi possible comme nom ou adjectif.

Word origin

Lesbien developed in French from the Latin adjective Lesbius, 'of Lesbos', after Lesbos became linked with Sappho and female same-sex love.

Usage tips

  • In Mon amie est une lesbienne, lesbienne is a feminine noun preceded by une; the adjective also takes the feminine form in une femme lesbienne.

Opposites

  • hétérostraight personnoun

Related words

  • lesbiennelesbiannoun

Word lists with this word