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

Franco Sarto Carolynn Tassel Loafers $59 at Amazon French women are masters of androgynous fashion, and there’s no better example than tassel loafers. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024

The video featured androgynous models of varying ethnicities and sizes posing in vibrant clothing in a brightly colored landscape. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024

Are there other guilds or unions that aren’t run by women with androgynous names? —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

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

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