Effeminate
adjective
Having behaviors or appearances often associated with women, not traditionally masculine.
His effeminate gestures were criticized by his peers.
Often appears as...
- effeminate man
- effeminate behavior
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Having behaviors or appearances often associated with women, not traditionally masculine.
His effeminate gestures were criticized by his peers.
Often appears as...
- effeminate man
- effeminate behavior
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
The word can be offensive in modern usage; use with care due to changing gender norms.
Describing someone as effeminate might be seen as insensitive today.
Pro Tip 2/3Perceived Weakness
May imply weakness or lack of strength, often used negatively.
He disliked being called effeminate because he felt it questioned his strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Stereotypical Gender Roles
Reflects traditional stereotypes not fitting all cultures or individuals.
His friends labeled his careful choice of words as effeminate, showing their own biases.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
The word can be offensive in modern usage; use with care due to changing gender norms.
Describing someone as effeminate might be seen as insensitive today.
Pro Tip 2/3Perceived Weakness
May imply weakness or lack of strength, often used negatively.
He disliked being called effeminate because he felt it questioned his strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Stereotypical Gender Roles
Reflects traditional stereotypes not fitting all cultures or individuals.
His friends labeled his careful choice of words as effeminate, showing their own biases.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
The word can be offensive in modern usage; use with care due to changing gender norms.
Describing someone as effeminate might be seen as insensitive today.
Pro Tip 2/3Perceived Weakness
May imply weakness or lack of strength, often used negatively.
He disliked being called effeminate because he felt it questioned his strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Stereotypical Gender Roles
Reflects traditional stereotypes not fitting all cultures or individuals.
His friends labeled his careful choice of words as effeminate, showing their own biases.
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Video examples
Growing Up Transgender...
were getting better she she was less effeminate in the way she did things and i thought okay it was just a phase everything's fine in in our church in the lds church she was ordained to the priesthood and was the first assistant to the bishop and so she was you know very involved and so i came home one day because she hadn't shown up
Video examples
Why Libya's revolution...
calling for days of Rage we need to start acting as agents of compassion and mercy we need to develop a disc effeminate discourse that not only honors but also implements mercy instead
Video examples
The gender-fluid history...
said that one man he believed to be a shaman was "so effeminate that in every way he was more a woman than a man. All the things the women did he performed, such as weaving blankets,
Video examples
Growing Up Transgender...
were getting better she she was less effeminate in the way she did things and i thought okay it was just a phase everything's fine in in our church in the lds church she was ordained to the priesthood and was the first assistant to the bishop and so she was you know very involved and so i came home one day because she hadn't shown up
Video examples
Why Libya's revolution...
calling for days of Rage we need to start acting as agents of compassion and mercy we need to develop a disc effeminate discourse that not only honors but also implements mercy instead
Video examples
The gender-fluid history...
said that one man he believed to be a shaman was "so effeminate that in every way he was more a woman than a man. All the things the women did he performed, such as weaving blankets,
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Milo Yiannopoulos
British Activist
Men and women are different: we have different tendencies, skills, and behaviors. This should be accepted and fostered, not demonized. Because the end result is simply more effeminate men and more masculine women. Who wants that?
Quote examples
Stephen McCauley
American Author
If you aren't a reader and you have a kid with his face buried in books, it can be a bit threatening. My parents viewed my reading as somewhat effeminate, but also subversive on some level.
Quote examples
Cillian Murphy
Irish Actor
Then I wanted the character to be feminine as opposed to effeminate. Because it's easy to be camp or queen. Anyone can do that. What's difficult is to play feminine.
Quote examples
Robert Lepage
Canadian Playwright
I never questioned if I was effeminate or not. That didn't matter in the theatre.
Quote examples
Grace Jones
Model
My brother used to get beaten up all the time because he was very effeminate.
Quote examples
Little Richard
American Musician
I don't think that you have to be effeminate to be sensitive.
Quote examples
Edgar Quinet
French Historian
An effeminate education weakens both the mind and the body.
Quote examples
Jinkx Monsoon
American Entertainer
While I'm out of drag, I'm still extremely effeminate.
Quote examples
Carmen Carrera
American Entertainer
I wasn't a masculine kid; I was pretty effeminate.
Quote examples
Penn Jillette
American Entertainer
I'm very happy being big and effeminate.
Quote examples
Milo Yiannopoulos
British Activist
Men and women are different: we have different tendencies, skills, and behaviors. This should be accepted and fostered, not demonized. Because the end result is simply more effeminate men and more masculine women. Who wants that?
Quote examples
Stephen McCauley
American Author
If you aren't a reader and you have a kid with his face buried in books, it can be a bit threatening. My parents viewed my reading as somewhat effeminate, but also subversive on some level.
Quote examples
Cillian Murphy
Irish Actor
Then I wanted the character to be feminine as opposed to effeminate. Because it's easy to be camp or queen. Anyone can do that. What's difficult is to play feminine.
Quote examples
Robert Lepage
Canadian Playwright
I never questioned if I was effeminate or not. That didn't matter in the theatre.
Quote examples
Grace Jones
Model
My brother used to get beaten up all the time because he was very effeminate.
Quote examples
Little Richard
American Musician
I don't think that you have to be effeminate to be sensitive.
Quote examples
Edgar Quinet
French Historian
An effeminate education weakens both the mind and the body.
Quote examples
Jinkx Monsoon
American Entertainer
While I'm out of drag, I'm still extremely effeminate.
Quote examples
Carmen Carrera
American Entertainer
I wasn't a masculine kid; I was pretty effeminate.
Quote examples
Penn Jillette
American Entertainer
I'm very happy being big and effeminate.
Example 1 of 10
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