effeminate

American  

[ih-fem-uh-nit, ih-fem-uh-nayt] / ɪˈfɛm ə nɪt, ɪˈfɛm əˌneɪt /

adjective

1. (of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.

2. characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc..

   effeminate luxury.

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verb (used with or without object)

effeminated, effeminating

1. to make or become effeminate.

effeminate British  

/ ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt /

adjective

1. (of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly

2. lacking firmness or vigour

   an effeminate piece of writing

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Synonym Usage

See female.

Other Word Forms

• effeminacy
  noun
• effeminateness
  noun
• effemination
  noun
• uneffeminate
  adjective
• effeminately
  adverb
• uneffeminately
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of effeminate

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English effeminat, from Latin effēmināt-, past participle stem of effēmināre “to make feminine,” equivalent to ef- ef- + fēmin(a) “woman” + -āre infinitive suffix

Explanation

The word effeminate is used to describe a man or a boy with characteristics that are more often associated with females. You were once teased for your effeminate, high-pitched voice, but now you're a world-renowned singer. The adjective effeminate comes from Latin roots that mean "womanish." The term is usually meant as an insult. You once thought it was too effeminate for a man to carry a purse, but now you realize how convenient it is. Besides, you often use it to swat at anyone who makes fun of you. If you think it's effeminate to cry during sad movies, that explains why you watch them alone.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

effeminate effeminated effeminating

When I was younger, bald men were often the butt of jokes - but taking steps to regain lost hair seemed to be viewed as effeminate and vain.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025

As a “very, very effeminate boy” growing up in Baltimore, Ben Appel was teased mercilessly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

“I didn’t have great hand-eye coordination. I was lanky, awkward and clumsy with effeminate mannerisms,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

Uncle Ronnie owned a hair salon, used words like “fabulous” and “honey” and was “the only person who never questioned my effeminate nature,” Brandon said.

From New York Times ● Dec. 7, 2022

“And I definitely knew I was gay, and there was definitely no talking about that. There were no ‘out’ students; there were kids who seemed effeminate.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

No soft luxurious diet then Had effeminated men, No other meat, nor wine had any Than the coarse mast, or simple honey, And by the parents' care laid up Cheap berries did the children sup.

From Poems of Henry Vaughan, Silurist, Volume II by E. K. (Edmund Kerchever) Chambers

Secondly, such a commonwealth must either be in peace, or war; if she be in peace, the few are soonest effeminated and corrupted and so obnoxious also to faction.

From The Commonwealth of Oceana by James Harrington

As the monarchs became effeminated, new powers sprung up, especially Media, which ultimately completed the ruin of Assyria, under Cyaxares.

From Ancient States and Empires by John Lord

He looms up as one of the prodigies of earth—yet sent by Providence as an avenger—an instrument of punishment on those effeminated nations, or rather dynasties, which had triumphed over human misery.

From Ancient States and Empires by John Lord

The little parlour was delightfully warm, with a dim consciousness of sleigh-furs, hack drivers in absurd winter caps, pedestrians huddling themselves and wriggling and grunting for an effeminating background to one’s sense of shelter.

From The White Terror and The Red A novel of revolutionary Russia by Abraham Cahan

Sensual and light, witty and delicate, descriptive and charming, these pleasing romances are never masculine, and become too often effeminate and effeminating.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 05 (From Charlemagne to Frederick Barbarossa) by Charles F. (Charles Francis) Horne

We are permitted no books but such as tend to the weakening or effeminating of the mind.

From Woman in Science With an Introductory Chapter on Woman's Long Struggle for Things of the Mind by John Augustine Zahm

No doubt a green apple and the buds of trees, and all kinds of sweet or peppery roots give him that wild and strenuous virtue which enables him to resist pampering and effeminating influences.

From Confessions of Boyhood by John Albee

Your delicate health has always excluded you from the service; but Raoul is healthy, and it is high time to withdraw him from the effeminating effect of pampering and petting.

From Saint Michael A Romance by E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers) Werner