Word
effeminate
Phoneticsef·fem·i·nate
US/iˈfɛmɪnət/
UK/ɛfˈɛmɪnˌeɪt/
Definition
adj. describing a man who has qualities or behaviors that people usually think of as feminine. It can also describe something that looks weak or soft.
adj. characterised by qualities or attributes traditionally associated with femininity; lacking in masculine strength or vigour. Often carries a derogatory or pejorative tone when applied to men.
Examples
“He was criticized for his effeminate style of dress.”
“The critic dismissed the actor's performance as effeminate, claiming it lacked the physical presence required for the role.”
“The poet's use of delicate imagery and soft consonants was often described as effeminate by his more traditionalist contemporaries, who preferred the rugged cadence of the epic.”
Examples
simple
“He was criticized for his effeminate style of dress.”
contextual
“The critic dismissed the actor's performance as effeminate, claiming it lacked the physical presence required for the role.”
complex
“The poet's use of delicate imagery and soft consonants was often described as effeminate by his more traditionalist contemporaries, who preferred the rugged cadence of the epic.”
Real-World Examples
“Those who exist outside established norms of behaviour, dress and mannerisms become hypervisible and surveilled; an example could be effeminate men.” Etymology
From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/effeminate