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• butch
  butch

  noun
• Butch
  Butch

  noun

  a male given name.

butch

¹ American  

[booch] / bʊtʃ /

noun

1. Slang.

   1. a woman or girl, especially one who is LGBTQ+, who embraces identity markers such as clothing, hairstyle, interests, or behaviors that are associated with traditional expressions of masculinity.

      I settled down with a nice butch and am happily married

   2. a gay man who embraces identity markers that are associated with normative expressions of masculinity.

   3. any person who adopts a masculine appearance, manner, or persona.

2. Informal. butch haircut.

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adjective

1. Slang.

   1. (of a girl or woman, especially one who is LGBTQ+) having identity markers usually associated with traditional expressions of masculinity.

      This shirt brand is very popular with my butch lesbian friends.

   2. (of a boy or man) decidedly masculine in manner or appearance.

Butch ² American  

[booch] / bʊtʃ /

noun

1. a male given name.

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butch British  

/ bʊtʃ /

adjective

1. (of a woman or man) markedly or aggressively masculine

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noun

1. a lesbian who is noticeably masculine

2. a strong rugged man

Etymology

Origin of butch

First recorded in 1940–45; apparently from the proper name

Example Sentences

With their flamboyant costumes and choreography, the group became a pop culture phenomenon, targeting disco's large gay audience with camp fantasy characters of butch builders, bikers, cowboys and soldiers.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

He also described the dog as "big, butch and brown and white" in colour.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

So, is it possible to butch up vegetables?

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2024

The exhibition tracks her evolution from a young girl to an old butch through drawing, sculpture, fiber art, archival material, ephemera, music and other performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2023

Besides I shouted so las’ dight that I cudd’t talk butch eddy how!”

From Within Prison Walls being a narrative during a week of voluntary confinement in the state prison at Auburn, New York by Osborne, Thomas Mott

Related Words

• manly
• masculine