androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs 

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

Synonyms

• genderless
• unisex
• unisexual

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

The purposefully androgynous and symmetrical design allows for infinite styling combinations — stack your Ice Cube bracelets or rings for an extra dazzling effect. —Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

But the true charm of Annie Hall will always and forever be Keaton’s iconic performance; her androgynous menswear style is still influencing fashion today. —Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024

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

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

Kids Definition

androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdrä-jə-nəs 

: having both male and female characteristics

androgynously adverb

androgyny

-nē 

noun

Medical Definition

androgynous

adjective

an·​drog·​y·​nous an-ˈdräj-ə-nəs 

: having the characteristics or nature of both male and female

androgyny

-nē 

noun

plural androgynies