adjective
- The definition of queer is something odd or unusual, or is an offensive and derogatory term used to describe a homosexual.
When you have an odd and unusual habit, it is an example of something that might be described as a queer habit.
- Queer is a strange or eccentric person, or an offensive and derogatory slang term used for a homosexual person.
An example of a queer is a person who dresses in unusual clothes and is known for doing very odd things such as standing on one leg for long periods of time.
Queer means odd behavior.
queer
adjective
- differing from what is usual or ordinary; odd; singular; strange
- slightly ill; qualmish or giddy
- Informal doubtful; suspicious
- Informal having mental quirks; eccentric
- Slang counterfeit; not genuine
- ☆ Slang homosexual: in general usage, still chiefly a slang term of contempt or derision, but lately used as by some academics and homosexual activists as a descriptive term without negative connotations
Origin of queer
northern Eng and amp; Scottish dial: via beggars' cant ; from uncertain or unknown; perhaps German quer, crosswise, in the origin, originally sense (MHG twer), crookedtransitive verb
- to spoil the smooth operation or success of
- to put (oneself) into an unfavorable position
noun
- counterfeit money
- a strange or eccentric person
- ☆ Slang a homosexual: see note at adj. 6
queer Idioms
be queer for
☆Slang to have a strong liking for; be obsessed with
queer
adjective
queer·er, queer·est- a. Deviating from what is expected or normal; strange: “The light above his head made a queer reflection of himself in the glowing wineglass” (Carson McCullers).b. Odd or unconventional, as in behavior; eccentric: “His mother is very queer, with witchy hair and mismatched shoes” (Caroline Preston).c. Of a questionable nature or character; suspicious: thought there was something queer about his explanation.
- a. Offensive Slang Gay or lesbian.b. Usage Problem Of or relating to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, or transgender people.
- Feeling slightly ill, as in being dizzy or queasy.
noun
- Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a gay man or a lesbian.
- Usage Problem A lesbian, gay male, bisexual, or transgender person.
transitive verb
queered, queer·ing, queers Slang To ruin or thwart: “might try to queer the Games with anything from troop movements &ellipsis; to a bomb attack” (Newsweek).
Origin of queer
Perhaps from Low German, oblique, off-center, from Middle Low German dwer; see terkw- in Indo-European roots.Related Forms:
- queer′ish
adjective
- queer′ly
adverb
- queer′ness
noun
queer
Adjective
(comparative queerer, superlative queerest)
- (slightly dated) Weird, odd or different; whimsical.
- a queer story; a queer look
- (slightly dated) Mysterious; suspicious; questionable.
- a queer transaction
- (slightly dated) Slightly unwell (mainly in to feel queer).
- (slang) Homosexual.
- Having to do with homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism etc.
- a queer reading of a text
Noun
(plural queers)
Usage notes
- The use of this word to mean "homosexual" was formerly, and is often still, considered pejorative. However, in the way that all language is dynamic and pliable, the word is also sometimes now used (primarily as adjective) as a neutral or even positive descriptive term, including by some (primarily younger) homosexuals. In its pejorative use, it is applied usually to males. In its modern neutral use, it is applied to all genders.
- Some LGBT individuals now use the term as an all-inclusive term for the GLBTIQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersex, Queer) etc. community. This may include people who consider themselves to be politically (otherwise sociologically) GLBTIQ without necessarily displaying, or even simply inclined towards behavior that is not heteronormative. This new usage is again by primarily younger people.
- 'Queer' is also used as a positive term for people, some of whom reject mainstream-gay values and culture as exclusive and limiting. People who identify with this version of queer distance themselves from the commercialisation and (relatively) conformist values of the gay mainstream and embrace fluid and unconstrained definitions of sexuality and gender. There is some common ground between this definition of queer and the punk and DIY scenes. See also "genderqueer".
- In the English dialect of the southern United States, the two senses of the adjective queer (homosexual and weird, odd, different, or unwell) are sometimes distinguished by pronunciation. Queer (homosexual) is pronounced (kwîr), queer (weird, odd, different, or unwell) is pronounced (kwär). This is generally considered old-fashioned and is only used when the word is emphasized, as in the phrase "that's awful queer" (pronounced THăts ôr'fəl kwär). The distinction is dying out as that latter sense of the word dies out.
Verb
(third-person singular simple present queers, present participle queering, simple past and past participle queered)
- To render an endeavor or agreement ineffective or null.
- To reevaluate or reinterpret a work with an eye to sexual orientation and/or to gender, as by applying queer theory.
Adverb
(comparative more queer, superlative most queer)
- queerly
Origin
From Scots, perhaps from Middle Low German (Brunswick dialect) queer (“oblique, off-center”), related to German quer (“diagonally”), from Old High German twerh (“oblique”), from Proto-Indo-European *twerk- (“to turn, twist, wind”). Related to thwart.
