effeminate
/ɪˈfɛmɪnət
/adjective derogatory
(Of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly: he lisps and his handshake is effeminate...
- While I was at High School, there was a guy in the year above me who was picked on and teased mercilessly because he was effeminate.
- There were effeminate guys who were looking for more macho guys.
- The effeminate males in view were youths, not children.
Synonyms
womanish, unmanly, effete, foppish, affected, niminy-piminy, mincing, posturing
informal campy, queeny
informal, derogatory poncey, limp-wristed, pansyish, faggy
Derivatives
effeminacy
/ noun ...- It is interesting that one of the biggest selling books of the summer noted, and advocated, this shift towards effeminacy.
- On the other hand, the ancient revulsion against emasculation, effeminacy, and males assuming, or forced into, the passive role of females is far less pervasive today.
- The merest hint of effeminacy is treated as treachery to masculinity, and traitors are subjected to the kinds of violence suffered by women.
effeminately
/ adverb ...- I was to play the part of a rather effeminately dressed masseur who gets pretty sadistic in his massage techniques.
- A character came on screen who was male but was dressed rather effeminately.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin effeminatus, past participle of effeminare 'make feminine', from ex- (expressing a change of state) + femina 'woman'.