femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfe-mə-ˈni-nə-tē 

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 femininity …

—Theodore Dreiser

Synonyms of femininity

• feminity

Examples of femininity in a Sentence

national costumes that accent masculinity and femininity

Recent Examples on the Web

As one of only two women in last year’s round of designer reshuffles—the other being Proenza Schouler’s Rachel Scott—Trotter’s debut brought a fresh air of femininity and fluidity to the house, previously also helmed by Daniel Lee. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026

To Rutherford, the scent symbolizes femininity. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Mar. 2026

The rooms Quietly radiant, the 89 accommodations are aesthetically a lovely contrast to the public zones, featuring deeper, warmer tones of wood in curvaceous silhouettes that evoke femininity, with plush carpeting that echoes tatami mats. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

For girls, our findings suggest that they are motivated to prove stereotypical femininity at younger ages, but this may dissipate with age. —Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing femininity

• hyper-femininity

Rhymes for femininity

• alkalinity
• consanguinity
• crystallinity
• masculinity
• affinity
• divinity
• infinity
• salinity
• vicinity
• virginity

Medical Definition

femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē 

plural femininities

: the quality or nature of the female sex