feminine

1 of 2

adjective

fem·​i·​nine ˈfe-mə-nən 

1

a

: considered to be characteristic of women

stereotypically feminine traits/characteristics

feminine charm/beauty

: marked by or having qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with women

… the actress gave the classic black-and-white tuxedo a feminine spin with a Ralph Lauren jumpsuit. Accessories included diamond necklaces and earrings, black pumps, and a black bow tie.

—Chelsey Sanchez

While traditionally considered feminine, floral scents are gaining popularity in men's fragrances.

—The Salt Lake Tribune

b

: of, relating to, or being a woman or girl

(dated) the feminine [=female] members of the family

"She was like a feminine version of Mick Jagger," says Sheryl Crow, a good friend and collaborator …

—Jada Yuan

also : of, relating to, or intended for women or girls

feminine empowerment

feminine sexuality

(dated) This classification includes all feminine [=women's] garments commonly known as lounge or hostess wear …

—Federal Register

c

: of or relating to feminine hygiene

feminine products

2

grammar : of, relating to, or constituting the gender (see gender entry 1 sense 1a) that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to females as well as other words and forms either systematically or arbitrarily in the same category

The word for "cat" is feminine in German (die Katze) and masculine in Spanish (el gato).

3

a

poetry : being an unstressed and usually additional final syllable after the final complete foot (see foot entry 1 sense 4) in a line of verse

a feminine ending

b

of rhyme : having an unstressed final syllable

4

of a musical cadence : ending on an unaccented beat

a short, wistful piece ending with a feminine cadence

femininely adverb

feminineness

ˈfe-mə-nə(n)-nəs 

noun

compare masculine

feminine

2 of 2

noun

plural feminines

1

grammar

a

: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the feminine (see feminine entry 1 sense 2) gender

b

: the feminine (see feminine entry 1 sense 2) gender

2

a

: the embodiment or conception of an idealized feminine nature

the power of the divine feminine

b

: the set of qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with women

… art that celebrates women but also confronts and explores representations of the feminine.

—Samantha Cooper

… Ellen in her fine suit of black, with her cloak and high-heeled boots, looking, in every respect, like a young gentleman; in an hour after having dropped her male attire, and assumed the habiliments of her sex the feminine only was visible in every line and feature of her structure.

—William Still

compare masculine

Synonyms

Adjective

• female
• womanish
• womanlike
• womanly

Examples of feminine in a Sentence

Adjective

The book examines the subject from a feminine perspective.

They've added some feminine touches to the decor.

The feminine form of the Spanish adjective “lindo” is “linda.”

Noun

The feminine of the Spanish adjective “lindo” is “linda.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Amour Vert Violette Organic Cotton Eyelet Dress Flowy, flirty dresses add a feminine touch to an otherwise rather masculine trend. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

The result further exposes the torso in its most vulnerable feminine places, while accelerating the figure’s spatial turn. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

For one last feminine touch, the long, billowy sleeves end in gathered ruffles at the cuff. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024

Odette embodies feminine charms, and yet—what’s that ethereal quality about her? —Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Her work focused on Black life, feminine life and the crossroads between the two. —Andrew Limbong, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024

Since the 2010s, the clothing company has developed and maintained a cult following of teenage girls who scooped up its beachy, feminine offerings and marveled at its relatively cheap price points and celebrity fans. —Cady Lang, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

The British designer has reportedly penned a feminine and elegant interior, though no images have yet been released. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024

Combining traditionally feminine motifs like frills and flowers with nods to the gym, the collection seems to poke fun at the idea that femininity and strength could ever be seen as opposing forces. —Evan Nicole Brown, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Noun

Mom supported female gender expression Lugo had an affinity for the feminine since childhood, his family shared. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024

While rosettes, metallics, and the color red are clearly going nowhere, a smattering of attendees also seemed particularly interested in mixing and matching the masculine and the feminine. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2024

Now, Terce will reimagine the 9 a.m. mass, turning it into an ecstatic contemplation of the divine feminine, inspired by the writings of women mystics and sung by a communal choir of more than 30 caregivers. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2024

There has to be that sacred masculine/sacred feminine in everything. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 Nov. 2023

Designers like Chanel are fully on top of this trend, so you're guaranteed to look chic in this feminine and reimagined classic. —Sarah Ball, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023

Surrounded by machismo their entire childhood, their queerness and comfort with the feminine was ignored. —Luis G. Rendon, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2023

And then also, to me, there is a mysticism in the feminine; there’s an unspeakable power! —Faran Krentcil, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 July 2023

The Barbie marketing campaign is inescapable and, like the aesthetic of the film, hyper feminine. —Time, 13 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French feminin, from Latin femininus, from femina woman; akin to Old English delu nipple, Latin filius son, felix, fetus, & fecundus fruitful, felare to suck, Greek thēlē nipple

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing feminine

• anti-feminine
• feminine hygiene
• hyper-feminine
• woman's/feminine touch

Kids Definition

feminine

1 of 2 adjective

fem·​i·​nine ˈfem-ə-nən 

1

: of the female sex

2

: characteristic of or belonging to women : womanly

3

: of, relating to, or making up the class of words that ordinarily includes most of those referring to females

a feminine noun in Latin

femininely adverb

feminineness noun

femininity

ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē

noun

feminine

2 of 2 noun

1

: a word or form of the feminine gender

2

: the feminine gender

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English feminine "female," from early French feminin (same meaning), derived from Latin femina "woman" — related to female see Word History at female

Medical Definition

feminine

adjective

fem·​i·​nine ˈfem-ə-nən 

1

: female

2

: characteristic of or appropriate or peculiar to women