femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfe-mə-ˈni-nə-tē 

1

: the quality or nature of the female sex : the quality, state, or degree of being feminine or womanly

challenging traditional notions about femininity and masculinity

… the women were visions of powerful femininity.

—Alan Shipnuck

2

: woman, womankind

… he was now to contrast her sharply with the best of what the Old World had to offer in the matter of femininity …

—Theodore Dreiser

Synonyms

• feminity
• muliebrity
• womanhood
• womanishness
• womanliness

Examples of femininity in a Sentence

national costumes that accent masculinity and femininity

Recent Examples on the Web

Mary Janes and drop earrings add a bit of playfulness and femininity. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024

The shape of the blazer nods to menswear, while its embellishment, and its styling with tights and heeled boots, gives it a glimmer of femininity. —Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 28 Dec. 2024

Women never had been allowed to run farther than 1,500 meters in the Olympics because the Games’ all-male guardians long harbored antiquated views of femininity and what the female body could do. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Inspired by actress Emma Mackey’s powerful journey alongside a pride of lionesses, this fragrance really is a narrative of strength, self-discovery, and unapologetic femininity. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing femininity

• hyper-femininity

Medical Definition

femininity

noun

fem·​i·​nin·​i·​ty ˌfem-ə-ˈnin-ət-ē 

plural femininities

: the quality or nature of the female sex