effeminate

Effeminate is an adjective used to describe behavior, appearance, or mannerisms that are culturally associated with femininity and women, especially when these traits are exhibited by men or boys. The term is evaluative and has historically carried judgmental or stigmatizing connotations, though in some contexts it has been used descriptively. It is not a medical or diagnostic category, and it does not indicate a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity; someone described as effeminate may be cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary, and may express a wide range of gender identities.

The word derives from Latin effeminatus, from effeminare “to make effeminate,” itself from femina “woman.” In English, it began to appear in early modern usage and has been employed in literature and social commentary to characterize or criticize male behavior perceived as overly feminine.

Cultural variation influences how the term is received. In some societies, feminine-presenting traits in men are accepted or admired in certain contexts, while in others they are stigmatized or used to police masculinity. The term can function as a social tool that reinforces gender norms or, in contemporary discourse, as a focus of critique against gender stereotyping and homophobia.

Related concepts include gender expression, masculinity, and gender nonconformity. In modern usage, many scholars and advocates prefer neutral language such as feminine-presenting or feminine-coded traits to avoid pejorative labeling.