Master confusing words with ease
Feminine vs. Effeminate
Feminine
/ˈfemənin/Examples:
The room was decorated in soft, feminine colors.Her feminine intuition proved right once again.He appreciates the feminine touch she brings to the artwork.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Effeminate
/ɪˈfemənət/Examples:
His effeminate gestures were the subject of much gossip.The character's effeminate voice became iconic in the play.Critics often noted the effeminate style of his poetry.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- feminine generally refers to qualities or appearances traditionally associated with women, not men.
- Effeminate often describes a man or boy with qualities considered typical of women, sometimes used negatively.
- Think of feminine as a term of gender classification, while effeminate may carry a tone of judgment.
- Feminine can describe both genders as having qualities like gentleness, while effeminate usually refers to males only.
- Effeminate suggests a lack of traditional male traits, unlike feminine, which celebrates aspects of female character.
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