effeminacy

noun

ef·​fem·​i·​na·​cy ə-ˈfe-mə-nə-sē 

: the quality of being effeminate

Examples of effeminacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lace, too, was a marker not of effeminacy but of affluence and taste. — Piczo, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2021

In both cases, the disapproval has always betrayed fears of effeminacy. — Washington Post, 7 June 2019

The researchers theorized this could be in part because of greater stigma toward effeminacy in boys than masculinity in girls. — Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023

This horror at effeminacy echoes across Baldwin’s novels and essays. — Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Other historians point to the color being linked to effeminacy. — Aj Willingham, CNN, 25 June 2023

As the nation seeks to make children tougher and young boys more masculine, gaming companies must avoid effeminacy and strictly regulate celebrity endorsement. — Yue Wang, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

effeminacy

noun

ef·​fem·​i·​na·​cy ə-ˈfem-ə-nə-sē 

: the quality of being effeminate