adj

queer

kweer

adj

Relating to a sexual orientation or gender identity that isn't exclusively heterosexual or cisgender; used both as a reclaimed identity term and, historically, as a slur.

"The festival celebrates queer artists and filmmakers."

"She identifies as queer."

Strange, odd, or unusual.

"There was something queer about the way he smiled."

"It's a queer little shop tucked down a side street."

How to Use Queer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: either "strange/unusual," or an identity term for LGBTQ+ people, which many now use with pride but which some older speakers still remember as an insult.

When to use it

As an identity term, queer has been widely reclaimed, especially by younger LGBTQ+ people, but it can still land as offensive to those who experienced it as a slur — context and who's speaking both matter.

Word Forms

queerer comparative, more queer comparative, queered past tense, queers plural, queers singular, queerest superlative, most queer superlative

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The festival celebrates _____ artists and filmmakers.

Etymology

Recorded in Scots from around 1510, probably from a Low German word meaning "oblique" or "off-center." It began to be used to describe gay people in the late 19th century.

Rhymes for queer

beer deer peer leer veer seer heer steer sneer cheer sheer Speer

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