ENGLISH
REFERENCE

femme

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈfɛm// UK //fˈɛm// femme Vulgar

adj. describing someone who has a feminine appearance or style, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. It is often used to talk about a person's identity or how they choose to present themselves.

adj. relating to or exhibiting a feminine identity or aesthetic, particularly within queer subcultures. Often used to distinguish a specific gender expression from 'butch' or 'masculine' presentations.


SIMPLE

She loves wearing femme styles like floral dresses and bright lipstick.

CONTEXTUAL

The community center hosted a workshop specifically for femme-identifying individuals to discuss their unique experiences with visibility.

COMPLEX

The artist explores the intersection of queer identity and traditional beauty standards through a series of portraits featuring femme subjects in domestic settings.

Origin

Borrowed from French femme (“woman”). Doublet of feme, femina, and hembra.

Usage

Often used as a self-identifier; can function as both an adjective and a noun depending on the social context.

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