ef·fem·i·nate
ə-ˈfe-mə-nət 
1
: having feminine qualities untypical of a man : not manly in appearance or manner
2
: marked by an unbecoming delicacy or overrefinement
effeminate art
an effeminate civilization
: an effeminate person
Synonyms
Examples of effeminate in a Sentence
Adjective
He had a high and somewhat effeminate voice.
he had a high and somewhat effeminate voice
Recent Examples on the Web
Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2021
The creative editing of the show, which had previously been broadcast uncensored on the platforms Sohu and iQiyi before the streaming agreements expired, comes as Chinese regulators ramp up their policing of media, including censoring LGBT content and banning depictions of effeminate men.
—Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2022
Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2024
The effeminate restaurant critic Gil Chesterton was his breakout role, leading to parts in The Paper (1994), The First Wives Club (1996), Uptown Girls (2003), The Prestige (2006), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), and voicing Zazu in The Lion King III (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for effeminate 
Adjective
But worry not: Once it’s done poking fun at an effeminate male stereotype, the script swoops in with a cautious coming-out monologue perfectly tailored to generate a fresh round of headlines celebrating and/or criticizing Disney’s latest LGBTQ milestone.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2021
The creative editing of the show, which had previously been broadcast uncensored on the platforms Sohu and iQiyi before the streaming agreements expired, comes as Chinese regulators ramp up their policing of media, including censoring LGBT content and banning depictions of effeminate men.
—Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2022
Noun
In Vice Principals, that came in the form of Lee Russell, the effeminate, vindictive co-vice of a middle school who is best friend and arch nemesis to McBride’s Neal Gamby.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2024
The effeminate restaurant critic Gil Chesterton was his breakout role, leading to parts in The Paper (1994), The First Wives Club (1996), Uptown Girls (2003), The Prestige (2006), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), and voicing Zazu in The Lion King III (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for effeminate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effeminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near effeminate
Cite this Entry
“Effeminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effeminate. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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