femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfe-mə-ˈni-nə-tē How to pronounce femininity (audio)
Synonyms of femininitynext
1
: the quality or nature of the female sex : the quality, state, or degree of being feminine or womanly
challenging traditional notions about femininity and masculinity
… the women were visions of powerful femininity.—Alan Shipnuck
2
: woman, womankind
… he was now to contrast her sharply with the best of what the Old World had to offer in the matter of femininity …—Theodore Dreiser

Synonyms of femininity

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Examples of femininity in a Sentence

national costumes that accent masculinity and femininity
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.
These capture the delicate femininity of a ballet flat, with a subtle lift. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 June 2026 For so long, femininity has been tied to long hair as beauty, softness, desirability, identity. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 June 2026 Often, how their bodies are judged are influenced by a definition of femininity based primarily on white bodies. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 The theme that surprised Jolie most while working on Couture was the protagonist’s relationship with love and her own femininity. — Monica Coviello, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for femininity

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing femininity

Rhymes for femininity

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Browse Nearby Words

feminine rhyme
femininity
feminise
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

femininity

noun
fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē How to pronounce femininity (audio)
plural femininities
: the quality or nature of the female sex

More from Merriam-Webster on femininity

Nglish: Translation of femininity for Spanish Speakers

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