ef·fem·i·nate
ə-ˈfe-mə-nət 
1
: having feminine qualities untypical of a man : not manly in appearance or manner
2
: marked by an unbecoming delicacy or overrefinement
effeminate art
an effeminate civilization
: an effeminate person
Examples of effeminate in a Sentence
Adjective
He had a high and somewhat effeminate voice.
he had a high and somewhat effeminate voice
Recent Examples on the Web
Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Phil initially teases Peter for being weak and effeminate.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
On Italian shores, Rumor flies through the towns, spreading gossip and tales about the strange new immigrants as effeminate, luxury-loving Easterners, and laying the foundations for war.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effeminate
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Adjective
Throughout the 1900s, and even into the ‘80s and ’90s, women often were encouraged to be more effeminate, and male counterparts were told to embrace their masculinity.
—Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Phil initially teases Peter for being weak and effeminate.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Because to do so remains mostly a violation of a code that says for a man to reveal much of anything is to be weak, or, worse, effeminate.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
On Italian shores, Rumor flies through the towns, spreading gossip and tales about the strange new immigrants as effeminate, luxury-loving Easterners, and laying the foundations for war.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effeminate
Cite this Entry
“Effeminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effeminate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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