In ancient Greek, the term μαλακοὶ (malakoì) is most commonly used to refer to individuals who are soft, effeminate, or weak. It can also be used to describe someone who is lazy or cowardly. The term is often used in a derogatory manner to insult someone for not being manly or strong.

In ancient Greek, the term μαλακοὶ (malakoì) was not explicitly used to refer to homosexuality, but it could be applied to men who engaged in passive homosexual acts. The Greeks did not have a specific term for homosexuality, and they viewed sexual acts between men and boys as part of male education and socialization. However, the term μαλακοὶ was generally used to describe someone who was soft, effeminate, or weak, rather than to specifically denote a homosexual.