effeminate

1 of 2

adjective

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

effeminate

2 of 2

noun

: an effeminate person

Synonyms

Adjective

• effete
• epicene
• sissified
• sissy
• unmanly
• womanish

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

Adjective

In both sketches, Keaton plays an effeminate man who doesn’t quite understand the assignment. —Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

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

Noun

The Secret of the River, out October 9 on Netflix, tells the story of an effeminate, sensitive yet brazen boy named Manuel (played by Frida Sofía Cruz Salinas), who is forced to move in with his grandmother in Oaxaca while his mother is being treated for cancer. —Juan Velasquez, Them, 9 Oct. 2024

These included prejudices against women who seemed powerful and against men seen as effeminate. —Sarah Nooter / Made By History, TIME, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin effeminatus, from past participle of effeminare to make effeminate, from ex- + femina woman — more at feminine

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1597, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

effeminate

adjective

ef·​fem·​i·​nate

ə-ˈfem-ə-nət

: having or showing qualities that are considered more suited to women than to men : not manly

effeminately adverb

effeminateness noun