butch

[ booch ]

/ bʊtʃ /

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See synonyms for butch on Thesaurus.com

noun

Slang.

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
a gay man who embraces identity markers that are associated with normative expressions of masculinity.
any person who adopts a masculine appearance, manner, or persona.

Informal. butch haircut.

adjective

Slang.

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

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Compare femme for defs. 1, 3.

Origin of butch

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

Words nearby butch

butane, butanoic acid, butanol, butanone, Butazolidin, butch, butcher, butcherbird, butcher block, butcher knife, butcher linen

Other definitions for butch (2 of 2)

Butch

[ booch ]

/ bʊtʃ /

noun

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use butch in a sentence

She told a story of a fellow employee who identifies as a butch dyke (a lesbian who takes on a more masculine identity).
The LGBT Center That Changed Our Lives|Justin Jones|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Haute Butch is one of a number of new design houses targeting the trans, butch, and androgynous dressers.
Look Who’s Wearing The Pants: Haute Butch’s Gender-Blending Style|Nina Strochlic|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
[Haute Butch] is stepping into that area with such confidence and they are so non-apologetic.
Look Who’s Wearing The Pants: Haute Butch’s Gender-Blending Style|Nina Strochlic|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sports stars going on Dancing with the Stars who are big, butch, and energetic are talking about how exhausting it is.
Nigel Lythgoe on How to Save Reality TV, ‘On the Town,’ and ‘Brokeback Ballroom’|Kevin Fallon|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But when Tarantino cast Travolta, he thought Willis would make a good Butch Coolidge.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course 'Butch' is more in keeping, but I do believe that Christian adds to his dignity in spite of his ears.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
His immediate superior was "Butch," but his ultimate superior was Mr. Cressy, the steward; and to him he now went.
Tom Slade with the Colors|Percy K. Fitzhugh
Their first endeavor was to capture "Butch" McCoy, the leader of the gang.
True Detective Stories|Cleveland Moffett
"Why don't yer hide yer fat carcass," sung out Butch' in fierce wrath.
Buckskin Mose|Buckskin Mose
The fatigue of the past two days and night had kept me somewhat in the rear of the party, with Butch' and "Fatty."
Buckskin Mose|Buckskin Mose

British Dictionary definitions for butch

butch

/ (bʊtʃ) slang /

adjective

(of a woman or man) markedly or aggressively masculine

noun

a lesbian who is noticeably masculine

a strong rugged man

Word Origin for butch

C18: back formation from butcher

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

butch

Origin of butch

Words nearby butch

Other definitions for butch (2 of 2)

Words related to butch

How to use butch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for butch

Word Origin for butch