queer
/kwɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /kwɪr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkwir/ (ame, mw) · /kwɪər/ (bre, ipa)
queer — adjective
- queerpositive
- queerercomparative
- queerestsuperlative
1. describing a person, identity, relationship, or culture that is not straight and
describing a person, identity, relationship, or culture that is not straight and/or does not fit traditional male-or-female ideas.
The campus opened a queer student center near the main library.
queer + student/community/space
Devika joined a queer film club that meets every Friday.
The museum added a queer history tour for senior high classes.
Quinn writes about queer families in picture books for children.
文法句型
queer + community/person/space/history
用法筆記
Often used as a broad umbrella label for identities outside heterosexual or cisgender norms. Some people still hear it as offensive, especially when it is imposed by a hostile speaker rather than chosen by the person described.
常見錯誤
2. strange in a way that makes something feel unusual, doubtful, or slightly wrong.
strange in a way that makes something feel unusual, doubtful, or slightly wrong.
A queer smell came from the old fridge after the power cut.
queer + smell/noise/look
Lotte gave Hassan a queer look when the lights switched on.
There was something queer about the silence after the last bell rang.
Pedro heard a queer noise under the floorboards at midnight.
文法句型
queer + smell/look/noise/feeling
用法筆記
Now sounds dated or literary in many contexts. Distinguish this sense from adjective/1: here queer means 'strange', not related to gender or sexuality.
常見錯誤
queer — noun
- queersingular
- queersplural
1. a person who identifies outside heterosexual or cisgender norms, often using the
a person who identifies outside heterosexual or cisgender norms, often using the term as a broad community label.
The group welcomes queer people, allies, and questioning students.
queer people / queer community
In his podcast, Hassan describes himself as a queer organizer from Tainan.
describe oneself as a queer
The march honored older queers who fought for safer workplaces.
Many young queers now find community through local sports teams.
文法句型
a queer
queers + plural noun phrase
用法筆記
Most natural when people use it for themselves or for a community that accepts the term. In hostile or careless use, it can still sound insulting.
常見錯誤
queer — verb
- queerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- queers3rd person singular
- queering-ing form
- queeredpast simple
1. to reshape or read something through a lens that questions fixed male/female rol
to reshape or read something through a lens that questions fixed male/female roles and straight-only assumptions.
The director queered the fairy tale by pairing two princesses.
queer + story/text/work
Her class queered the fashion ad by discussing non-binary style.
The artist queered the wedding photos with drag costumes and tuxedos.
In class, scholars queer the novel by questioning its fixed gender roles.
- reinterpret
broader and not always tied to gender or sexuality
- recast
stresses reshaping the work more than the critical lens
文法句型
queer + text/story/image/practice
用法筆記
Object is usually a text, image, performance, or social practice rather than a person. Common in academic, artistic, and activist discussion.
常見錯誤
2. to put a plan, chance, or result in trouble so that it is likely to fail.
to put a plan, chance, or result in trouble so that it is likely to fail.
The sudden rain queered our plans for the beach market.
queer + plans/chance/deal
A missing document queered Hassan's chance of getting the visa.
The late train queered their hope of reaching the interview.
One careless joke queered the deal before lunch was served.
文法句型
queer + plans/chance/hope/deal
用法筆記
Usually takes nouns such as plans, chances, hopes, deals, or success as the object. This sense is old-fashioned in modern English and is far less common than spoil or ruin.