What does effeminate mean?

Definitions for effeminate
ɪˈfɛm ə nɪtef·fem·i·nate

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word effeminate.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. effeminate, emasculate, epicene, cissy, sissified, sissyish, sissyadjective

    having unsuitable feminine qualities

Wiktionary

  1. effeminateverb

    To make womanly; to unman.

  2. effeminateadjective

    Having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine.

  3. Etymology: From effeminatus, past participle of effeminare.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. EFFEMINATEadjective

    Etymology: effeminatus, Latin.

    After the slaughter of so many peers,
    Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? William Shakespeare, Henry VI.

    The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honour. Francis Bacon, Hen. VII.

    From man’s effeminate slackness it begins,
    Who should better hold his place. John Milton.

    The more effeminate and soft his life,
    The more his fame to struggle to the field. John Dryden, Don Seb.

    As well we know your tenderness of heart,
    And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse. William Shakespeare, R. III.

  2. To Effeminateverb

    To make womanish; to weaken; to emasculate; to unman.

    Etymology: effemino, Latin.

    When one is sure it will not corrupt or effeminate childrens minds, and make them fond of trifles, I think all things should be contrived to their satisfaction. John Locke.

  3. To Effeminateverb

    To grow womanish; to soften; to melt into weakness.

    In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. Alexander Pope.

Wikipedia

  1. effeminate

    Effeminacy is the embodiment of traits and/or expressions in those who are not of the female sex (e.g. boys and men) that are often associated with what is generally perceived to be feminine behaviours, mannerisms, styles, or gender roles, rather than with traditionally masculine behaviours, mannerisms, styles or roles. Effeminacy and other gender expressions are independent of a person's sexuality or sexual identity and are displayed by people of all sexualities and none. However, effeminacy is seen in some societies as something embodied by some in the homosexual male community. The embodiment of effeminacy by people in some societies has resulted in prejudice, discrimination, antagonism and insults towards those who display it.

ChatGPT

  1. effeminate

    Effeminate refers to qualities or characteristics that are typically associated with women and are exhibited by a man, such as softness, delicacy, or an overall feminine appearance or behavior. It's important to note that cultural standards of masculinity and femininity can vary widely, and this term can be based on stereotypes. It can be considered offensive when it is used to demean or stereotype a person.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Effeminateadjective

    having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak

  2. Effeminateadjective

    womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense

  3. Effeminateverb

    to make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken

  4. Effeminateverb

    to grow womanish or weak

  5. Etymology: [L. effeminatus, p. p. of effeminare to make a woman of; ex out + femina a woman. See Feminine, a.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Effeminate

    ef-fem′in-āt, adj. womanish: unmanly: weak: cowardly: voluptuous.—n. an effeminate person.—v.t. to make womanish: to unman: to weaken.—v.i. to become effeminate.—n. Effem′inacy, womanish softness or weakness: indulgence in unmanly pleasures.—adv. Effem′inately.—n. Effem′inateness. [L. effemināre, -ātum, to make womanish—ex, out, and femina, a woman.]

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of effeminate in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of effeminate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of effeminate in a Sentence

  1. Nathan Earl:

    Any type of outreach poster... regarding trafficking is typically the teenage girl with pigtails, just seeing that formally encourages that stigma that you are weak, that you are effeminate if you are a victim. There is still such a stigma attached to male victimization.

  2. Michael Gilman:

    Around the turn of the century, as men’s brands started to come out, people started to realize that taking care of yourself is not effeminate or girly, some of those taboos came down, and more barbershops and spas broke the barriers and let men know it’s OK to do this stuff.

  3. Leatrice Eiseman:

    But it does take a man who would look at it and say, 'I am not threatened by wearing pink' or 'I don't think I am going to be viewed by other people as being too effeminate if I wore pink,'.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for effeminate

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"effeminate." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/effeminate>.

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