WLW (Women Loving Women)
Noun (informal)
Pronunciation
W-L-W
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)
/ˌdʌb.əl.juː ˌɛl ˈdʌb.əl.juː/
Lexicographic Status
Culturally accepted term used in discussions of sexuality, identity, and queer relationships.
Definition
WLW, short for women loving women, refers to an umbrella term used to describe women who are romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
The term is inclusive of a range of identities, including lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and queer-identified women, and is often used in contexts where inclusivity is intended without specifying a single identity label.
Origin of the Term
The abbreviation WLW emerged from online and community-based queer discourse in the early 21st century. It developed as part of a broader set of inclusive acronyms used to describe patterns of attraction without limiting individuals to fixed identity categories.
Cultural Context
WLW is commonly used in digital spaces, media, and community discussions as an inclusive and flexible way to describe attraction among women.
In contemporary usage, the term allows for recognition of shared experiences among women who are attracted to women, while also acknowledging the diversity of identities and personal labels within that group.
Related Terms
Sapphic
Lesbian
Bisexual
Queer
Sources
Dictionary.com
UWM LGBTQ+ Resource Center
Related Terms in The Women’s Archive
U-Hauling
Comphet
Sapphic
Late Bloomer
Situational Queerness
