Lesbian
/ˈlɛz.bi.ən/noun
Relating to or describing a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to women.
Did you know?The modern sexual sense is linked to the ancient Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose surviving poems express love and desire toward women; the related term “Sapphic” comes directly from her name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Lésbos (Λέσβος)
“The name of the Aegean island now called Lesbos”
Classical Greek
Greek
Lesbíos (Λέσβιος)
“Of Lesbos; a person from Lesbos”
7th–6th Century BCE
Greek
Sapphō (Σαπφώ)
“Sappho, the poet from Lesbos whose poetry addressed love between women”
19th Century
English
lesbian
“A woman associated with the erotic or romantic traditions attributed to Sappho and Lesbos”
20th Century
English
lesbian
“A woman romantically or sexually attracted to women; the modern standard sense”
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