feminine

Feminine is a term used to describe attributes, roles, or identities associated with women or girls in many cultures, and it also denotes a grammatical gender used in various languages. The usage can refer to social expectations as well as linguistic classification.

In linguistics, feminine is a gender category that governs agreement of nouns, adjectives, determiners, and pronouns with a feminine noun or pronoun. Many languages assign feminine gender to certain words, often with characteristic endings or articles, though the specifics vary by language.

Culturally, femininity refers to social and cultural expectations surrounding women’s behavior, appearance, and roles. These norms are diverse and historically contingent, and they can be challenged or redefined by social movements and changing attitudes toward gender.

Contemporary discussions recognize that femininity is not a fixed attribute of biological sex; expressions can be fluid and intersect with gender identity, sexuality, and personal presentation. Some people identify with femininity as part of their gender expression, while others may reject or reinterpret traditional norms.

In gender studies, femininity is analyzed as a social construct that evolves with time and culture. Linguistic gender and cultural femininity often interact, yet many scholars advocate for greater awareness of nontraditional expressions and for more inclusive language and social practices.