androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs How to pronounce androgynous (audio)
1
: having the characteristics or nature of both male and female
androgynous heroines
2
a
: neither specifically feminine nor masculine
the androgynous pronoun them
b
: suitable to or for either sex
androgynous clothing
3
: having traditional male and female roles obscured or reversed
an androgynous marriage
androgynously adverb

Examples of androgynous in a Sentence

the androgynous hairdos favored by the hip an actor whose androgynous looks are at the heart of his appeal
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bailey herself is a shape-shifter of sorts, right on the border between child and teenager in age and, with her androgynous looks, occupying an ambiguous place between genders as well. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 The silhouettes, somewhat androgynous in their shape, referenced many archived collections, challenging chronology. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 The collection consists of five androgynous wardrobe essentials, including a sweatsuit, flannel, denim and crop top in sizes 00 to 40. Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 The long ’70s silhouette and details, through androgynous or bohemian silhouettes, summer checks and other geometrical patterns, denim and clogs. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for androgynous 

Word History

Etymology

Greek andrógynos "having male and female characteristics, hermaphrodite" (from andro- andro- + -gynos, adjective derivative of gynḗ "woman") + -ous — more at queen entry 1

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of androgynous was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near androgynous

Cite this Entry

“Androgynous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/androgynous. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

androgynous

adjective
an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs How to pronounce androgynous (audio)
: having both male and female characteristics
androgynously adverb
androgyny noun

Medical Definition

androgynous

adjective
an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdräj-ə-nəs How to pronounce androgynous (audio)
: having the characteristics or nature of both male and female
androgyny noun
plural androgynies

More from Merriam-Webster on androgynous

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