femme
Americannoun
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femmes
plural
adjective
noun
-
a woman or wife
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a lesbian who adopts a feminine role in a relationship
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of femme
First recorded in 1930–35; from French: literally “woman”; see origin at feme
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Five years later, she portrayed femme fatale Eve Kendall, dangerously seducing Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock's action thriller North by Northwest.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
They made off with a portrait titled "Madame Colonna Romano" and the depiction of a woman at a well called "Jeune femme au puits", his office said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
That attitude, he says, is most notable in his scenes with Li Jun Li, whose femme fatale character Felicia “Cat” Hardy, a nightclub singer, knows more than she wants to reveal.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
In her 2024 Tiny Desk Concert for NPR, Roan is surrounded by seven femme musicians, each wearing red lipstick, blue eyeshadow, a pink button-down or a red party dress.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
"The femme de chamber," an attendant calls out.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
People who engage in romantic relationships with men — women, femmes, gay men, etc. — are socialized to be ever-forgiving, to have infinite patience and compassion.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
Black trans femmes have been and currently are at the forefront of social liberation movements, while experiencing unique forms of targeted discrimination, oppression, and violence.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 14, 2024
"When I look out to the audience and I see women or femmes connecting to it, I think maybe you know," Sawayama says.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2023
“Black trans women and femmes specifically are the most marginalized in our communities,” Patterson said.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 21, 2023
Then he bade her a cordial good night, and Griff escorted both "femmes" to the hotel.
From Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
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