gaydar

noun

gay·​dar ˈgā-ˌdär How to pronounce gaydar (audio)
slang
: the supposed ability to recognize through observation or intuition that a person is gay

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Women's gaydar improves during ovulation. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016 My gaydar even doesn’t work that well in the present, let alone retroactively. Fox News, 17 June 2019 The authors were then ready to pit their prediction model against humans in what would become a notorious gaydar competition. Heather Murphy, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gaydar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

blend of gay and radar

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gaydar was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near gaydar

Cite this Entry

“Gaydar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaydar. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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