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 of androgynous

• genderless
• unisexual
• ambisexual

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

Tall and exceedingly slender, she was dressed in a faintly androgynous way. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

His overall effect became more androgynous, whether in or out of women’s clothing. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Her healing journey involves dating a 20-something trans man (Theo Germaine) and confronting SNL alum Julia Sweeney, whose androgynous character Pat bears a humiliating resemblance to Abby. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

This androgynous look was paired with Louboutin pumps and glittering Bulgari jewels. — Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 July 2026

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

Rhymes for androgynous

• autogenous
• homogenous
• nitrogenous
• hematogenous
• myelogenous

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