gayness

gay ► ADJECTIVE (gayer, gayest) 1) (especially of a man) homosexual. 2) relating to homosexuals. 3) dated light-hearted and carefree. 4) dated brightly coloured; showy.

► NOUN ▪ a homosexual person, especially a man.

DERIVATIVES gayness noun.

USAGE Gay is now a standard term for ‘homosexual’, and is the term preferred by homosexual men to describe themselves. As a result, it is now very difficult to use gay in its earlier meanings ‘carefree’ or ‘bright and showy’ without arousing a sense of double entendre. Gay in its modern sense typically refers to men, lesbian being the standard term for homosexual women.

ORIGIN Old French gai.