The Sapphic Sanctuary
Lesbian
Usually a woman attracted only to women. Some nonbinary people use the word too. Lesbian is a specific orientation; sapphic is the wider umbrella it sits under.
Last updated: July 19, 2026
Lesbian is the older, more specific orientation label. Sapphic is wider. Every lesbian can call herself sapphic, but not every sapphic is a lesbian.
Some nonbinary people who were assigned female at birth use lesbian for their attraction to women, even when they do not fully identify as women. Which word fits is yours to decide.
Sapphic vs lesbian goes into the comparison in more detail.