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drag king

American  
[drag king] / ˈdræg ˌkɪŋ /

noun

Slang.

  1. a performer, typically one who was assigned female at birth, whose act involves a stylized and exaggerated interpretation of masculinity that plays with stereotypical gender themes.

drag king British  

noun

  1. a female who dresses as a man and impersonates male characteristics for public entertainment

  2. slang a female transvestite

"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

Etymology

Origin of drag king

First recorded in 1970–75; by analogy with drag queen ( def. )

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.

As she refined her act, she caught the attention of artists like Patti LuPone, Amy Sedaris, Adam Horovitz and drag king Murray Hill, whom she counts among her fans and collaborators.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2024

“Dale!” drag king Mauro Cuchi shouts into the mic.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2024

Birmingham drag king Don One, who also performs around the country including the Two Brewers, agrees that venues need to "step up security" to make sure everyone in the community "feels safe".

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2023

Now a veteran drag king, D. Dynasty used to attend drag shows as an admirer.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2023

Speaking by telephone, Hill, a drag king superstar, recalled growing up within a conservative New England community and feeling a sense of belonging only once he moved to New York and discovered cabaret.

From New York Times • Jan. 14, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.