feminine

see definition of feminine

adjgirlish

Synonyms for feminine

adj girlish

Antonyms for feminine

female

adjective. having the qualities or characteristics of a woman

gender

noun. grammatical rules applying to nouns that connote sex or animateness

Word Origin & History

mid-14c., "of the female sex," from Old French femenin (12c.) "feminine, female; with feminine qualities, effeminate," from Latin femininus "feminine" (in the grammatical sense at first), from femina "woman, female," literally "she who suckles," from root of felare "to suck, suckle" (see fecund). Sense of "woman-like, proper to or characteristic of women" is recorded from mid-15c.

The interplay of meanings now represented in female, feminine, and effeminate, and the attempt to make them clear and separate, has led to many coinages: feminitude (1878); feminile "feminine" (1640s); feminility "womanliness" (1838); femality (17c., "effeminacy;" 1754 "female nature"). Also feminality (1640s, "quality or state of being female"), from rare adjective feminal (late 14c.), from Old French feminal. And femineity "quality or state of being feminine," from Latin femineus "of a woman, pertaining to a woman."

Example Sentences forfeminine

Simple Alleyne opened his eyes at this little spurt of feminine bitterness.

Did she have a heart, then, or was it a feminine trait to turn pale in every emergency?

But dancing was the only feminine accomplishment with which she had any acquaintance.

"'Tis nothing," she answered, refusing his support with feminine reserve.

His own nature partook of the feminine, and he shared its intuitions and its fears.

She was in as feminine a fright as though she had never braved a danger.

Leave this lady to me; I know how to manage these feminine vixens.

It was a look of resentment and contempt, with just a dash of feminine reproach in it.

"We are almost there now," he answered, amazed at the feminine inconsistency of the command.

Yes, and you have found out that there are women who have a feminine air, but who are not women.

feminine

Synonyms for feminine

Antonyms for feminine

epicene

female

gender

petticoat

sissified

feminine

Synonyms for feminine

Antonyms for feminine

More words related to feminine

effeminate

epicene

female

gender

petticoat

sissified