feminize

verb

fem·​i·​nize ˈfe-mə-ˌnīz How to pronounce feminize (audio)
feminized; feminizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a feminine quality to
2
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogens)
feminization noun

Examples of feminize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Today, the dance floor has been thoroughly feminized and re-queered, leaving this album with nothing to demonstrate or explain. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 Brats are hot, fun, and apolitical; they’ve been feminized and miniaturized and upgraded to a more consumer-friendly model. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2024 The organization had been considering lowering the age minimums for gender-affirming care, including adjusting the age to 15 for masculinizing top surgery, 16 for feminizing top surgery, and 17 for genital surgery. James Factora, Them, 9 July 2024 While the original look came down the runway with a latex skull cap, squash goggles, and square-toed Oxfords with black socks, Delevingne feminized the look, and brought it closer to Cabaret’s origins. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for feminize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feminize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feminize was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near feminize

Cite this Entry

“Feminize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminize. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

feminize

transitive verb
fem·​i·​nize
variants or British feminise
feminized or British feminised; feminizing or British feminising
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogenic substances)
feminization noun
or British feminisation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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