effeminate

Meaning

Adj

1. (derogatory, often) Exhibiting behaviour or mannerisms considered typical of a woman; unmasculine.
2. (obsolete) Womanly; tender, affectionate, caring.

Verb

1. (archaic, nonstandard, transitive) To make womanly; to unman.
2. (intransitive) To become womanly.

Noun

An effeminate person.

Synonyms

womanish

unmanly

feminine

♀️

emasculate

cissy

sissy

epicene

pansy

enervate

sissyish

womanlike

sissified

womanly

weak

effete

transvestite

languish.

to become womanish

be unmanly

be womanish

camp

overlavish

decadent

enervated

lazy

louche

meek

mild

queer

soft

squaw

unman

weaken

cross-dresser

grow weak

unmanlike

an effeminate person

Translations

efféminé

afeminado

weibisch

effeminato

verweichlicht

verwijfd

effemminato

θηλυπρεπής

efféminée

effeminare

tuntig

مخنث

γυναικωτός

unmännlich

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪˈfɛmɪnət/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: effeminat

In summary

From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).