femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfe-mə-ˈni-nə-tē How to pronounce femininity (audio)
1
: the quality or nature of the female sex : the quality, state, or degree of being feminine or womanly
challenging traditional notions about femininity and masculinity
… the women were visions of powerful femininity.Alan Shipnuck
2
: woman, womankind
… he was now to contrast her sharply with the best of what the Old World had to offer in the matter of femininityTheodore Dreiser

Examples of femininity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her sturdiness works its way into her performances onscreen: Even in many a period drama, Winslet, for all her femininity, conveys the impression of someone who could hold her own in a street fight. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The result is sleek and fluid, with a dose of romantic femininity. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 The Shōgun model of femininity, according to which the women are ostensibly subservient but capable of triggering pivotal upheavals, offers juicy material for Hoshi, heartbreaking and unreadable, and Nikaido, who makes her character manipulative and fiercely maternal. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2024 Perhaps what’s missing is an essential element of your femininity and the foundation of your spiritual ecosystem: Sensuality. Essence, 10 Jan. 2024 Bandit grew up with the idea that femininity meant fashion, spangles, performance. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2023 In a pop field that’s often dominated by femininity, Newham purposefully embraces their gender fluidity, combining Eighties Jazzercise choreography with David Byrne-esque suiting and sharp lines. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023 Feminist women despise femininity (i.e. motherhood) according to Chesterton's observations 100 years ago. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 10 Nov. 2023 Its balconette design and demi-bra cups provide just the right amount of support and femininity while keeping you comfortable thanks to its mesh material. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'femininity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of femininity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near femininity

Cite this Entry

“Femininity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/femininity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

femininity

noun
fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē How to pronounce femininity (audio)
plural femininities
: the quality or nature of the female sex

More from Merriam-Webster on femininity

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