“Sapphic” describes a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women. It is widely used as an inclusive umbrella term for the many identities that fall under women loving women, and it can also embrace nonbinary people who connect with that experience. The word carries a long history, tracing back to an ancient Greek poet, and it has taken on renewed popularity in modern conversations about identity.
What does sapphic mean?
At its core, sapphic refers to attraction between women. As an adjective, it can describe a person (“she is sapphic”), a relationship, or art and media centered on love between women. Because it is broad, sapphic is often chosen as an umbrella term that covers lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and other women who are attracted to women, without narrowing the meaning to a single orientation.
Where does the word sapphic come from?
The term comes from Sappho, a celebrated Greek lyric poet who lived around 600 BCE on the island of Lesbos. Sappho’s poetry expressed love and desire between women, and her name and home island both became linked to that theme. In fact, the word “lesbian” also derives from Lesbos. The adjective “sapphic” was used in relation to Sappho and her verse for centuries before taking on its current meaning.
When did sapphic gain its modern meaning?
While “sapphic” once simply meant “relating to Sappho or her poetry,” its sense of referring to sexual and romantic relations between women developed in the 1890s. Around the same time, the related noun “sapphism” emerged with a similar meaning. So although the root is ancient, the identity-focused use of the word is a little over a century old.
Is sapphic the same as lesbian?
They overlap but are not identical. “Lesbian” typically refers specifically to women who are attracted only to women. “Sapphic” is broader, functioning as an umbrella that can include lesbians alongside bisexual, pansexual, and other women who love women. Some people prefer sapphic precisely because it is inclusive and does not require choosing a single, more specific label.
- A woman who dates women might describe herself as sapphic.
- A book about a romance between two women may be called a sapphic story.
- Someone bisexual may use sapphic to describe their attraction to women.
Can nonbinary people identify as sapphic?
Yes. Because the term centers on the experience of attraction among women, many nonbinary people who feel aligned with that community and experience use it too. As with any identity label, the most respectful approach is to let people describe themselves in the terms they choose.
In short, sapphic means a woman attracted to other women, and it serves as a warm, inclusive umbrella for that spectrum of identity. Rooted in the poetry of Sappho of Lesbos, it connects an ancient legacy to the way people describe love between women today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sapphic mean?
Sapphic describes a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women, and is often used as an umbrella term for women who love women.
Where does the word sapphic come from?
It comes from Sappho, an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos known for verse expressing love between women.
Is sapphic the same as lesbian?
Not exactly. Lesbian usually refers specifically to women attracted only to women, while sapphic is a broader umbrella that can include bisexual and pansexual women.
Can nonbinary people be sapphic?
Yes. The term can include nonbinary people who feel connected to the experience of attraction among women.