Dating-app slang & abbreviations

WLW and MLM

AlsoWLWMLMwomen loving womenmen loving mensapphicachilleansapphic womenachillean men

Definition

WLW means "women loving women" and MLM means "men loving men": inclusive umbrella terms for same-gender attraction regardless of the exact label someone uses.

At a glance

  • WLW means women loving women; MLM means men loving men.
  • Umbrella terms for same-gender attraction without picking a narrower label.
  • 'Sapphic' and 'achillean' are related, literary-flavoured terms.
  • They are identity terms, unlike the public-health categories MSM and WSW.

In detail

These terms cover lesbians, bisexual and pansexual people and others who love people of the same gender, without asking anyone to pick a narrower label. "Sapphic" and "achillean" are related, literary-flavoured umbrella words.

They are identity terms, often used by the community itself, and are distinct from the public-health terms MSM and WSW, which describe behaviour rather than identity.

In a sentence

  • Sapphic, cat-obsessed and looking for my person. WLW only.
  • That bookshop has a whole shelf of MLM romance novels.

Where the word comes from

WLW and MLM became popular on Tumblr and other social media in the 2010s. 'Sapphic' refers to the ancient Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos, and 'achillean' to the Greek hero Achilles and his bond with Patroclus.

Not to be confused with

  • MLM (multi-level marketing)

    Outside LGBTQ+ spaces MLM usually means a pyramid-style sales business.

  • MSM (men who have sex with men)

    MSM is a public-health category based on behaviour, not identity.

Common questions

What is the difference between WLW and lesbian?

Lesbian usually describes women attracted only to women. WLW is broader and includes bisexual, pansexual and other women who love women.

Why is MLM confusing?

Outside LGBTQ+ spaces, MLM usually means multi-level marketing, a pyramid-style sales business. Context normally makes the meaning clear.

Related terms