effeminate
pronunciation
How to pronounce effeminate in British English:
UK [ɪˈfemɪnət]
How to pronounce effeminate in American English:
US [ɪˈfɛmənɪt]
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- Adjective:
- having unsuitable feminine qualities
- characterized by excessive softness or self-indulgence
Word Origin
- effeminate (adj.)
- late 14c., "womanish; voluptuous; tender," from Latin effeminatus "womanish, effeminate," past participle of effeminare "make a woman of," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + femina "woman" (see feminine). Rarely used but in reproach. The noun meaning "effeminate person" is from 1590s. Related: Effeminately; effemination.
Example
- 1. The system makes boys effeminate and girls masculine .
- 2. This was probably to make them look ridiculous or more effeminate .
- 3. All things equal , the higher a voice , the more effeminate a voice sounds , for the obvious reasons .
- 4. Tall 1 m. the branch is effeminate , gray or dust-colour .
- 5. He was saying this in a less effeminate way .