feminine

1 of 2

adjective

fem·​i·​nine ˈfe-mə-nən How to pronounce feminine (audio)
1
a
: considered to be characteristic of women
stereotypically feminine traits/characteristics
feminine charm/beauty
: marked by or having qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with women
… the actress gave the classic black-and-white tuxedo a feminine spin with a Ralph Lauren jumpsuit. Accessories included diamond necklaces and earrings, black pumps, and a black bow tie.Chelsey Sanchez
While traditionally considered feminine, floral scents are gaining popularity in men's fragrances.The Salt Lake Tribune
b
: of, relating to, or being a woman or girl
(dated) the feminine [=female] members of the family
"She was like a feminine version of Mick Jagger," says Sheryl Crow, a good friend and collaborator …Jada Yuan
also : of, relating to, or intended for women or girls
feminine empowerment
feminine sexuality
(dated) This classification includes all feminine [=women's] garments commonly known as lounge or hostess wear … Federal Register
c
: of or relating to feminine hygiene
feminine products
2
grammar : of, relating to, or constituting the gender (see gender entry 1 sense 1a) that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to females as well as other words and forms either systematically or arbitrarily in the same category
The word for "cat" is feminine in German (die Katze) and masculine in Spanish (el gato).
3
a
poetry : being an unstressed and usually additional final syllable after the final complete foot (see foot entry 1 sense 4) in a line of verse
a feminine ending
b
of rhyme : having an unstressed final syllable
4
of a musical cadence : ending on an unaccented beat
a short, wistful piece ending with a feminine cadence
femininely adverb
feminineness noun

compare masculine

feminine

2 of 2

noun

plural feminines
1
grammar
a
: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the feminine (see feminine entry 1 sense 2) gender
b
: the feminine (see feminine entry 1 sense 2) gender
2
a
: the embodiment or conception of an idealized feminine nature
the power of the divine feminine
b
: the set of qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with women
… art that celebrates women but also confronts and explores representations of the feminine.Samantha Cooper
… Ellen in her fine suit of black, with her cloak and high-heeled boots, looking, in every respect, like a young gentleman; in an hour after having dropped her male attire, and assumed the habiliments of her sex the feminine only was visible in every line and feature of her structure.William Still

compare masculine

Examples of feminine in a Sentence

Adjective The book examines the subject from a feminine perspective. They've added some feminine touches to the decor. The feminine form of the Spanish adjective “lindo” is “linda.” Noun The feminine of the Spanish adjective “lindo” is “linda.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The collection of feminine chainmail was a subtle play on power dressing — appropriate for the movie’s message of female empowerment. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 The suiting influence fall in line with her more androgynous personal style, but the amplified proportions make for an undeniably feminine, sirenesque look from Jenner. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 If anyone can help a nerdy, awkward middle school kid with a heart of gold find her feminine force, the amazing Newton can. Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Characterized by moody tones, delicate details, and a vintage feminine flair, here’s what to know about getting the look in your home, according to interior design professionals. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024 These challenges echo the core principles of Cindy's pioneering work, emphasizing the vital importance of using their feminine energy in navigating such systemic hurdles. Kalina Bryant, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The gown was powerful, celebratory, and feminine, which set the tone for Waddingham’s final SAG Awards show as a Ted Lasso nominee. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024 Ever Parisian chic and feminine, this new collection is daring and groovily stylish. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 In a nod to the 1960s mod era and the burgeoning equal rights movement, the collection was primarily stripped of feminine tropes and leaned into masculine codes and graphic simplicity. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
Mom supported female gender expression Lugo had an affinity for the feminine since childhood, his family shared. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 While rosettes, metallics, and the color red are clearly going nowhere, a smattering of attendees also seemed particularly interested in mixing and matching the masculine and the feminine. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2024 Now, Terce will reimagine the 9 a.m. mass, turning it into an ecstatic contemplation of the divine feminine, inspired by the writings of women mystics and sung by a communal choir of more than 30 caregivers. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2024 There has to be that sacred masculine/sacred feminine in everything. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 Nov. 2023 Designers like Chanel are fully on top of this trend, so you're guaranteed to look chic in this feminine and reimagined classic. Sarah Ball, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023 Surrounded by machismo their entire childhood, their queerness and comfort with the feminine was ignored. Luis G. Rendon, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2023 And then also, to me, there is a mysticism in the feminine; there’s an unspeakable power! Faran Krentcil, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 July 2023 The Barbie marketing campaign is inescapable and, like the aesthetic of the film, hyper feminine. Time, 13 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feminine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French feminin, from Latin femininus, from femina woman; akin to Old English delu nipple, Latin filius son, felix, fetus, & fecundus fruitful, felare to suck, Greek thēlē nipple

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of feminine was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near feminine

Cite this Entry

“Feminine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

feminine

1 of 2 adjective
fem·​i·​nine ˈfem-ə-nən How to pronounce feminine (audio)
1
: of the female sex
2
: characteristic of or belonging to women : womanly
3
: of, relating to, or making up the class of words that ordinarily includes most of those referring to females
a feminine noun in Latin
femininely adverb
feminineness noun
femininity
ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē
noun

feminine

2 of 2 noun
1
: a word or form of the feminine gender
2
: the feminine gender
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English feminine "female," from early French feminin (same meaning), derived from Latin femina "woman" — related to female see Word History at female

Medical Definition

feminine

adjective
fem·​i·​nine ˈfem-ə-nən How to pronounce feminine (audio)
1
: female
2
: characteristic of or appropriate or peculiar to women

More from Merriam-Webster on feminine

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