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

Rose gold plated: 18k rose gold plating enhances the overall look of brass jewelry, giving it a rich, blush-toned hue that adds a touch of femininity to any outfit. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 July 2024

Bleeding Stewart spoke with Rolling Stone about her upcoming movie, her relationship to femininity, and more. —James Factora, Them, 27 June 2024

The mid-nineteenth-century stage thus became a space and time for exploring and criticizing social ideas of femininity. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2024

The building’s neoclassical façade is distinctively Parisian but not imposing, and the interior — featuring a mixture of light gray and pink, Dior’s favorite colors — communicates his welcoming, singular take on elegance and femininity. —Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 13 Mar. 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