androgyny

[an-droj-uh-nee]

noun

1. the state or quality of being ambiguous, unspecified, or blended in gender; the state of being neither solely masculine nor solely feminine.

   The androgyny in his portraits subverted the expected distinctions between men and women of the Victorian era.

Word History and Origins

Origin of androgyny¹

First recorded in 1830–40; androgyne ( def. ) + -y ³ ( def. )

Example Sentences

At the time of the film’s original release in 1975, it tapped into a cultural zeitgeist that mixed glamour and androgyny, akin to the era’s glam-rock movement led by David Bowie.

From Los Angeles Times

Their instantly arresting look pulled from David Bowie’s androgyny and the drag-culture underground in New York.

From Los Angeles Times

But I view my masculinity and my androgyny with just as much affection.

From Washington Post

Even with the feminine touches, androgyny underlined the collection, in particularly in the Prada uniform looks: jumpsuits, slim trousers and jackets.

From Seattle Times

At the time, Ms. Reffstrup was a buyer in Copenhagen and felt boxed in by the stereotypes of cold androgyny or flower-crown-wearing bohemian that defined Scandinavian style.

From New York Times