feminize

[ fem-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used with or without object)

, fem·i·nized, fem·i·niz·ing.

1. to make or become feminine.

feminize

/ ˈfɛmɪˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become feminine
2. to cause (a male animal) to develop female characteristics

Derived Forms

• ˌfeminiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• femi·ni·zation noun
• de·femi·ni·zation noun
• de·femi·nize verb (used with object) defeminized defeminizing
• over·femi·nize verb overfeminized overfeminizing
• un·femi·nize verb (used with object) unfeminized unfeminizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of feminize¹

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

Example Sentences

She points to the fact that female emojis and Lego characters are often distinguished from their male counterparts by the addition of bigger lips, longer lashes or other feminizing features.

From Science News

Eastwood has his critics from the left, but no one’s ever going to accuse him of being feminized.

From Washington Post

Roman emperors often feminized their appearances in portraits, signifying power and to advance their political agendas.

From Ozy

Supporters of the ban speculate that women distract men and that they may even “feminize,” or weaken the military.

From The Daily Beast

Ann Coulter is often referred to as “Mann-coulter” on political blogs in an effort to de-feminize her.

From The Daily Beast

We have the moon-god attempting to feminize an unfortunate enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

The argument that the presence of women tends to "feminize" the universities is, he grants, more serious.

From Project Gutenberg