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
Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026 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
Ken Moritsugu, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 The government banned effeminate-looking men from TV in 2021, a look that Chinese pop stars likely picked up from South Korean and Japanese performers. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for effeminate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One of the earliest of American masculinity influencers was President Theodore Roosevelt, who touted his own transformation from a timid, effeminate man – local presses mocked him in his early career – to a rugged outdoorsman. —Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026 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
Noun
The government banned effeminate-looking men from TV in 2021, a look that Chinese pop stars likely picked up from South Korean and Japanese performers. —Ken Moritsugu, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 The government banned effeminate-looking men from TV in 2021, a look that Chinese pop stars likely picked up from South Korean and Japanese performers. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for effeminate
Cite this Entry
“Effeminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/effeminate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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