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

Look at portraits of people that express different emotions like power, masculinity, femininity, joy, vulnerability and sensuality, Suh says. —Margaret Cirino, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024

At the very least, womb therapy acknowledges—and honors—these secret struggles of femininity. —Maria Yagoda, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2024

Mecca James-Williams, 31, a stylist and editor of the culture and commerce platform Jam, who splits her time between Manhattan and Jamaica, sees the baby tee as a celebration of femininity. —April Daniels Hussar, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Growing up with a Black mom and grandma, I was conditioned to associate a few key things with femininity: a thoroughly lotioned and glistening body, gold jewelry, and always smelling amazing. —Annie Blay, Allure, 19 Nov. 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