fem·i·nine
ˈfe-mə-nən 
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
Chelsey SanchezWhile traditionally considered feminine, floral scents are gaining popularity in men's fragrances.—The Salt Lake Tribune
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
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
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
compare masculine
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
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
William Stillcompare masculine
Synonyms
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
Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Four years later, when Trump was running against another white man, majorities of Republicans agreed that both society has become too soft and feminine and that society punishes men just for acting like men, tapping into a particular brand of male/masculine grievance.
—Kelly Dittmar, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
Lean feminine with your styling; pleated skirts and textured dresses work perfectly.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feminine 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
The spoof video that is played on screens at Trump’s rallies alternates between scenes of intense military training, sometimes with drill sergeants yelling at troops, and scenes depicting what are meant to portray LGBTQ members of the military, each displaying exaggerated feminine affects.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Four years later, when Trump was running against another white man, majorities of Republicans agreed that both society has become too soft and feminine and that society punishes men just for acting like men, tapping into a particular brand of male/masculine grievance.
—Kelly Dittmar, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
Just about every memory of his father and uncle turns on the question of masculinity, how manly qualities must triumph over the pitiful feminine.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
Lean feminine with your styling; pleated skirts and textured dresses work perfectly.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feminine
Dictionary Entries Near feminine
Cite this Entry
“Feminine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminine. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feminine
1 of 2 adjective
fem·i·nine
ˈfem-ə-nən
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
noun
ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē
feminine
2 of 2 noun1
: a word or form of the feminine gender
2
: the feminine gender
Medical Definition
feminine
adjective
fem·i·nine
ˈfem-ə-nən
1
: female
2
: characteristic of or appropriate or peculiar to women
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