effeminate

1 of 2

adjective

ef·​fem·​i·​nate ə-ˈfe-mə-nət How to pronounce effeminate (audio)
Synonyms of effeminate
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 of effeminate

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Adjective

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Here is a boy warrior, with a supple abdomen and bare bronze thighs, confident and effeminate. — Phil Melanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2025 She’d been bullied by kids in grade school and subjected to physical harm for being a boy who was, in their judgment, too effeminate. — Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2022
Noun
Because to do so remains mostly a violation of a code that says for a man to reveal much of anything is to be weak, or, worse, effeminate. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025 On Italian shores, Rumor flies through the towns, spreading gossip and tales about the strange new immigrants as effeminate, luxury-loving Easterners, and laying the foundations for war. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for effeminate

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of effeminate was in the 14th century

Rhymes for effeminate

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Browse Nearby Words

effeminacy
effeminate
effeminately
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Cite this Entry

“Effeminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effeminate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on effeminate

Nglish: Translation of effeminate for Spanish Speakers

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