gay plague
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Register: dated, offensive, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
And it aims to launch upon this task in an era of superlative need and supreme difficulty, the frightening era of ‘the gay plague,’ AIDS.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “gay plague” mean?
Synonym of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Is “gay plague” formal or informal?
gay plague is generally dated, offensive, slang.