sapphic

1 of 2

adjective

sap·​phic ˈsa-fik 

1

capitalized : of or relating to the Greek lyric poet Sappho

2

: of, relating to, or consisting of a 4-line strophe made up of chiefly trochaic and dactylic feet

3

: lesbian sense 1

sapphic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a verse having the metrical pattern of one of the first three lines of a sapphic strophe

2

: a sapphic strophe

Did you know?

Sapphic and Greek Poet Sappho

The poet Sappho wrote poems of self-reflection but also of passion, some of it directed to the women attending the school she conducted on the Greek island of Lesbos around 600 B.C. Even though most of the poems survive only as fragments, they have been greatly admired for many centuries. They were written in an original rhythmical pattern, which has become known as sapphic verse. Later admirers, such as the Roman poets Catullus and Horace, honored her by adopting the sapphic meter for their own poetry. Because of Sappho, the island of Lesbos also gave its name to lesbianism, which writers often used to call sapphic love.

Examples of sapphic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This is an incredibly gay cartoon that quickly zeroed in on the romance between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in its first season and has basically become a nonstop fountain of sapphic humor ever since. —Samantha Allen, Them, 19 Dec. 2024

Gavin says she’s seen dialogue online debating if sapphic pop is overpopulated. —Abigail Covington, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2024

Noun

Like scissoring, tribbing was initially associated with lesbians and sapphics, but its definition has expanded over the years to include people with all types of genitals. —Adejoke Mason, Them, 3 Dec. 2024

As the Liberty's starting lineup is reportedly 60% gay, the team is beloved by New York City’s sapphics, with games regularly playing at popular lesbian bars like Ginger’s and The Bush, both of which shared video to their Instagram Story of fans celebrating the win. —Quispe López, Them, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sapphic

adjective or noun

sap·​phic ˈsaf-ik 

: lesbian