Meaning & use
faggot
A highly offensive slur for a gay man, historically derived from an older, unrelated word for a bundle of sticks.
See it in a sentence
The film depicted the slur being shouted as a stark example of 1980s homophobic bullying.
Style guides list the word among slurs that should never appear in respectful writing.
A note on using this word
This is a serious slur in modern English and should be avoided entirely, except in careful discussion of language or hate speech.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A traditional British dish of seasoned minced meat, especially pork offal, shaped into balls and baked or fried.
The pub served faggots with mashed potatoes and rich onion gravy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “faggot”, then compare your use with the examples above.