effeminate

[ adjective ih-fem-uh-nit; verb ih-fem-uh-neyt ]

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.

verb (used with or without object)

, ef·fem·i·nat·ed, ef·fem·i·nat·ing.

1. to make or become effeminate.

effeminate

/ 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

Derived Forms

• efˈfeminacy, noun
• efˈfeminately, adverb

Other Words From

• ef·femi·nate·ly adverb
• ef·femi·nate·ness noun
• ef·femi·nation noun
• unef·femi·nate adjective
• unef·femi·nate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of effeminate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of effeminate¹

C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman

Synonym Study

See female.

Example Sentences

Born as men, they traditionally veer toward effeminate appearance and style.

From Washington Blade

Komnenos’s dark skin matched his dignity since it did not display “an effeminate paleness … having aspired to an appearance that one does not find on womanly or soft people.”

From Washington Post

In contrast, male Disney villains are frequently portrayed as visibly effeminate.

From Vox

Real liberation wasn’t necessarily about making women more manly or allowing men to be effeminate.

From Nautilus

As played by Omundson, King Richard is effeminate, sincere, and ten times funnier than everyone else.

From The Daily Beast

I just knew there were gays, and they were men who were very effeminate.

From The Daily Beast

Ronaldo is often accused of being a pretty boy, a not-so-subtle way of accusing him of being overly effeminate.

From The Daily Beast

And did you know that effeminate men in the 18th-century were known as “mollies”?

From The Daily Beast

Cutthroat, abusive, and—at times—barbaric, he picked on Michael for being effeminate, having a big nose, and “liver lips.”

From The Daily Beast

And I will give children to be their princes, and the effeminate shall rule over them.

From Project Gutenberg

Another glimpse of d'Arthez is as the unselfish friend of Marie Gaston, a young poet of his stamp, but "effeminate."

From Project Gutenberg

She made her lover effeminate and materialistic, advising with him about everything.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed almost effeminate to surrender his burden to one who had hardly yet rested after a long journey.

From Project Gutenberg

He was handsome in a cruel sort of way and almost effeminate in his liking to stand before them and admire himself.

From Project Gutenberg