effeminate
Americanadjective
-
(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
-
characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc..
effeminate luxury.
verb (used with or without object)
adjective
-
(of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
-
lacking firmness or vigour
an effeminate piece of writing
Synonym Usage
See female.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing effeminate
Romeo and Juliet
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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What If It's Us
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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.
See Examples For:
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
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
When Pesina, 32, was in grade school, they kept a low profile to avoid being bullied as a Brown, chubby gay kid with an effeminate voice.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 28, 2022
Annoyed by this sense of effeminate intrigue I got off the platform and lost myself in the mob, crouching and slouching somewhat to do so.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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 Lord, John
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 Harrington, James
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 Lord, John
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 Chambers, E. K. (Edmund Kerchever)
We are permitted no books but such as tend to the weakening and effeminating of the mind.
From Lady Mary Wortley Montague Her Life and Letters (1689-1762) by Melville, Lewis
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 Albee, John
She had made herself his dearest friend without effeminating him, his constant guide without monopolizing him, and his preceptor without ceasing to be his comrade.
From Her Royal Highness Woman by O'Rell, Max
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 Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis)
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 Cahan, Abraham
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.
