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

From plush Tuscan shearling and fluffy furs to structured tweeds and supple leathers, Yves Salomon paints a rich sensual experience that elevates its minimal, androgynous silhouettes. —Angela Lei, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Across the front row, Emma Corrin and Emma Mackey, both wearing androgynous looks, were deep in conversation with Mark Eydelshteyn, while Joey King and Barbara Palvin got the flash-bulbs popping. —Alex Wynne, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025

Or Tilda Swinton, still a relatively new quantity to American audiences, playing an androgynous angel Gabriel in a Windsor knot and wavy lob and beaming with the sort of toxic positivity a youth pastor might exude while suggesting a kid would benefit from conversion therapy. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Birkenstock sandals with wide straps are considered more androgynous in style. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for androgynous

• autogenous
• homogenous
• nitrogenous
• hematogenous
• myelogenous

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