# femme

/ˈfɛm/ (US) · /fˈɛm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/femme
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. feminine queer identity

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a lesbian or queer person who has a feminine appearance or identity.

For teachers: a lesbian, bisexual woman, or non-binary person whose gender expression or identity is feminine. Often used as a self-identifier within the LGBTQ+ community.

- She identified as a femme and loved wearing vintage dresses to the club.
- The documentary explores the historical evolution of the femme identity within urban lesbian communities during the mid-twentieth century.

Teaching tip: While 'femme' means 'woman' in French, in English it is specifically a queer identity marker; using it for straight women may cause confusion.

### 2. having a feminine queer style

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

having a style or look that is feminine, especially within the queer community.

For teachers: denoting a feminine style, aesthetic, or identity within a queer context.

- He preferred a more femme look, often wearing makeup and floral patterns.
- The fashion show highlighted femme aesthetics, challenging traditional binary views of how queer people should dress.

Usage: Often used to modify nouns like 'identity', 'aesthetic', or 'presentation'.

### 3. effeminate (insult)

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a rude way to describe a man who acts in a way that people think is feminine.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a man perceived as effeminate or lacking traditional masculine qualities.

- The boys at school used 'femme' as a mean way to tease him.
- The critic noted that the character was written as a 'femme' stereotype, intended to be the target of ridicule by the protagonist.

Teaching tip: This sense is often considered offensive or derogatory when used by people outside the community to mock men.

## Examples

- She loves wearing femme styles like floral dresses and bright lipstick.
- The community center hosted a workshop specifically for femme-identifying individuals to discuss their unique experiences with visibility.
- The artist explores the intersection of queer identity and traditional beauty standards through a series of portraits featuring femme subjects in domestic settings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.