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

The band's androgynous fashion style, consisting of heavy makeup and bold stage outfits, helped epitomize the hair metal scene of the 1980s. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

The structured outerwear, especially oversized, adds a chic androgynous touch to the wide-leg bottoms. —India Roby, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026

What's so appealing about this spring boot is their comfortable fit and elevated, androgynous structure, which looks very similar to an Oxford dress shoe when paired with Johnson's black Agolde straight-leg '90s jeans. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2026

The Leonore Chelsea boot combines the androgynous elements of the Chelsea boot style with a slender, feminine silhouette. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 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