CEFR C2

effeminacy

noun

Meaning

The possession of traits or qualities traditionally associated with women rather than men, often used in a critical or dated context.

Examples

Victorian literature often used the term effeminacy to criticize men who prioritized aesthetic refinement over physical labor.
He rejected the accusation of effeminacy, arguing that his sensitivity was a mark of emotional maturity.

Synonyms: softness, delicacy, womanliness, unmanliness

Learn English that separates you from the crowd with Anaversity: private classes, Ani practice, Campus tools, and a public English-learning community.

effeminacy (C2)

noun

Pronunciation: /ɪˈfɛmɪnəsi/

Definition

The possession of traits or qualities traditionally associated with women rather than men, often used in a critical or dated context.

Examples

Victorian literature often used the term effeminacy to criticize men who prioritized aesthetic refinement over physical labor.
He rejected the accusation of effeminacy, arguing that his sensitivity was a mark of emotional maturity.
The historical shift in gender norms has rendered many past accusations of effeminacy culturally obsolete.

Synonyms of effeminacy

Words with a similar meaning to effeminacy:

Antonyms of effeminacy

Words with the opposite meaning to effeminacy:

Browse the full Anaversity dictionary