feminize

1 of 2

verb

fem·​i·​nize ˈfe-mə-ˌnīz 

feminized; feminizing

transitive verb

1

: to give a feminine quality to

feminize an outfit

2

: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogens)

3

: to cause to be made up of more females than males

Our society feminizes certain professions.

feminization

ˌfe-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

feminization

2 of 2

noun

fem·​i·​ni·​za·​tion ˌfemənə̇ˈzāshən 

-ˌnīˈz-

plural -s

: the process or condition of being feminized

specifically : development of female characteristics in a male or castrate

Examples of feminize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Meanwhile, 83 percent of Republican men younger than 50 think society is too feminized, according to a survey by the conservative Manhattan Institute. —Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

Some are transgender and seeking to feminize their torsos. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

Removing too much skin or fat can feminize a man and produce a sunken effect. —Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

This week, Vogue spoke to Husain about pushing beyond the limits of traditional disordered-eating recovery, feminized preoccupations around hunger, and finding inspiration in modern-day mutual aid. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for feminize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Medical Definition

feminize

transitive verb

fem·​i·​nize

variants or British feminise

ˈfem-ə-ˌnīz 

feminized or British feminised; feminizing or British feminising

: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogenic substances)

feminization noun

or British feminisation

ˌfem-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən