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

Over the years, the singer and red-carpet darling has become known for his androgynous style and LGBTQ+-inspired performances. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

An androgynous white button-down left half untucked has become something of a Parisian uniform—put together yet still not trying too hard. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026

Last September, Alan Cumming lit up the 2025 Emmy Awards ceremonies in three sharp Tanner Fletcher looks each featuring obscenely oversized bows that perfectly suited his divinely androgynous sense of style. —Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026

Besides, the male models walking down the runway with their long hair and lean bodies and androgynous features only added to the idea that these are just clothes; anyone can put them on. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 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