Guide
What Does Sapphic Mean?
Sapphic, lesbian, queer, bisexual: the words people use for women who love women overlap, and they mean different things to different people. This guide explains each one in plain language, shows how they relate, and suggests a simple rule for choosing words when you write a profile or talk to someone new. There is no single correct label, only the one that fits you.
Where the word comes from
Sapphic comes from Sappho, a poet from the Greek island of Lesbos who wrote about love between women. Lesbian has the same root. Today sapphic is often used as a wider word that welcomes lesbian, bisexual and other women who love women.
Five words side by side
Meanings overlap, and people use them in their own ways.
| Word | Usually means | Worth knowing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesbian | Lesbian | A woman who is romantically and sexually attracted to women. Many non-binary people use the word too. | Often chosen for its clarity and history |
| Sapphic | Sapphic | A broad word for women and non-binary people attracted to women, including lesbian, bisexual and pansexual people. | Often used when a person wants an inclusive term |
| Queer | Queer | An umbrella word for people whose sexuality or gender sits outside straight and cisgender norms. | Reclaimed by many, though some still dislike it |
| Bisexual | Bisexual | Attracted to more than one gender. | A label in its own right, not a stage |
| Bicurious | Bicurious | Curious about attraction to the same gender and exploring it. | Used by people who are not sure yet |
Which word should you use?
Use the one that feels right to you, and change it whenever it stops fitting. When you meet someone new, listen to the words they use about themselves and use the same ones. If you are unsure, ask politely.
On a dating profile
You can name your label, describe yourself in your own words or leave it out and talk about who you are looking for. Sapphic Match welcomes lesbian, bisexual, bicurious and queer women, so you do not need a tidy label to join. Our guide to writing a profile has more.
Keep reading
More guides for women who date women.