androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs 

1

: having the characteristics or nature of both male and female

androgynous heroines

2

a

: neither specifically feminine nor masculine

the androgynous pronoun them

b

: suitable to or for either sex

androgynous clothing

3

: having traditional male and female roles obscured or reversed

an androgynous marriage

androgynously adverb

Synonyms

• genderless
• unisex
• unisexual

Examples of androgynous in a Sentence

the androgynous hairdos favored by the hip

an actor whose androgynous looks are at the heart of his appeal

Recent Examples on the Web

The suiting influence fall in line with her more androgynous personal style, but the amplified proportions make for an undeniably feminine, sirenesque look from Jenner. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024

The character's primary appearance now takes on a more androgynous, otherworldly look that's similar to the comic book character the inspired him, Changeling. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024

Madewell Satin Cutaway Vest Top The French are notorious for deconstructing fashion for looks that come off as more androgynous. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024

Charlotte Rampling, 78, paired her salt-and-pepper crop with an androgynous suit, while Charlotte Gainsbourg, 52, offered a lesson in how to do the shag cut with straight hair. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024

Stewart insisted the androgynous images taken by Collier Schorr for Rolling Stone should not be that big of a deal. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2024

Photographs reveal androgynous innocence and weary worldliness. —Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024

For the rest of the photos, Stewart continued to wear the jockstrap, as well as other other underwear and androgynous pieces of clothing. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024

With his light-wash baggy jeans, dark eyeliner, and grandpa cardigans, Cobain brought a softer and more androgynous facet to punk-rock inspo. —Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek andrógynos "having male and female characteristics, hermaphrodite" (from andro- andro- + -gynos, adjective derivative of gynḗ "woman") + -ous — more at queen entry 1

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs 

: having both male and female characteristics

androgynously adverb

androgyny

-nē 

noun

Medical Definition

androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdräj-ə-nəs 

: having the characteristics or nature of both male and female

androgyny

-nē 

noun

plural androgynies