feminize

American  

[fem-uh-nahyz] / ˈfɛm əˌnaɪz /

especially British, feminise

verb (used with or without object)

feminized, feminizing

1. to make or become feminine.

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feminize British  

/ ˈfɛmɪˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become feminine

2. to cause (a male animal) to develop female characteristics

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Other Word Forms

• defeminization noun
• defeminize verb (used with object)
• feminization noun
• overfeminize verb
• unfeminize verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of feminize

1645–55; < Latin fēmin ( a ) woman + -ize

Example Sentences

For transsexual reasons that don’t belong in this essay, I want to feminize my face.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2022

The two discussed Kamala Harris’ historic vice presidential campaign and America’s tendency to feminize candidates for political office.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2020

Being a big-boned gal with broad shoulders, I knew a fuller bust line would detract from that and feminize my appearance even more.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2018

“To feminize politics, to me, implies to have more coöperative ways of working that actually allow you to combine professional and private life,” Colau said.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 6, 2018

Where it was physical for me was those beginning stages where I could be easily clocked, when I didn’t know how to do certain things to feminize myself.

From Washington Post