queer vs gay

queer and gay both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
queer	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
gay	Yes	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, queer and gay are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of queer include homophile.

As nouns, gay is a hypernym of queer; that is, gay is a word with a broader meaning than queer:

Other hypernyms of queer include homo, homophile, homosexual.

queer (noun)	gay (noun)
offensive term for a homosexual man	someone who is sexually attracted to persons of the same sex

queer (adjective)	gay (adjective)
homosexual or arousing homosexual desires	bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected	brightly colored and showy
	homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
	given to social pleasures often including dissipation
	offering fun and gaiety
	full of or showing high-spirited merriment

queer (verb)	gay (verb)
put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of