Definition of: feminine

(fem′ə·nin) adjective
1. Belonging to or characteristic of womankind; having qualities, as modesty, delicacy, tenderness, tact, etc., normally characteristic of women.
2. Lacking in manly qualities; effeminate.
3. Gram. Applicable to females only or to objects classified with them.
—noun
1. Women, or a woman.
2. Gram. A word belonging to the feminine gender. [<L femininus <femina a woman]
—fem′i·nine·ly adverb
—fem′i·nine·ness noun Synonyms (adj.): effeminate, female, womanish, womanly. We apply female to the sex, feminine to the qualities, especially the finer physical or mental qualities that distinguish the female sex in the human family, or to the objects appropriate for or especially employed by them. A female voice is the voice of a woman; a feminine voice may belong to a man. Womanish denotes the undesirable, womanly the admirable or lovely qualities of woman. Womanly tears would suggest respect and sympathy, womanish tears a touch of contempt. The word effeminate is always used reproachfully, and only of men as possessing womanish traits such as are inconsistent with true manliness. Antonyms: See synonyms for MASCULINE.