effeminate
/ɪˈfɛmɪnət/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.72 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Of a boy or man, exhibiting behavior or mannerisms considered typical of a woman or unmasculine.
Derogatory
noun
An effeminate person.
Example Sentences
- "An effeminate and unmanly foppery."
- "The Comte d'Artois had neither the dignified nor the manly air of his brother—he rather appeared like a pretty-looking girl, so effeminate was he and fair."
- "Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse."
- "the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre."
- "It will not corrupt or effeminate their [children's] minds."
- "I mean the represenstation of gay men on The Simpsons is getting more one-dimensional. For several years Smithers was quite masculine, yet the writers have effeminated him gradually (collecting Barbies, for instance), now he's rollerblading down the street with rainbow hotpants on?"
Etymology
From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Usage
Inflected Forms
more effeminate (comparative)
most effeminate (superlative)
effæminate (alternative, obsolete)
effeminat (alternative, obsolete)
effœminat (alternative, obsolete)
effœminate (alternative, obsolete)
effeminates (present, singular)
effeminating (participle, present)
effeminated (participle, past)
effeminated (past)
effeminates (plural)