butch
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for butch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Noticeably masculine in appearance or manner, especially describing a woman.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dike
flattop
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Noticeably masculine in appearance or manner, especially describing a woman.
“More of the rotten responses I receive about being a bisexual butch woman come from other bisexuals, particularly men, who don't want to deal with any woman who is not some Barbie doll standard of femininity.”
Opposites
Etymology
Probably originally short for "butcher"; the meaning "masculine lesbian" developed in the 1940s.
Full origin of butch →Frequently asked questions
What does “butch” mean?
The word “butch” means noticeably masculine in appearance or manner, especially describing a woman. In plain terms, tough, masculine-presenting — commonly used within lesbian communities to describe a masculine style or identity.
How do you pronounce “butch”?
“Butch” is pronounced buuch (/bʊt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “butch” in a sentence?
Here is “butch” used in a sentence: “She had a butch style, all boots and cropped hair.”
What part of speech is “butch”?
Depending on how it is used, “butch” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “butch” come from?
The word “butch” dates back to around 1940. Probably originally short for "butcher"; the meaning "masculine lesbian" developed in the 1940s.
Is “butch” a common word?
“Butch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “butch” have?
“Butch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: noticeably masculine in appearance or manner, especially describing a woman.
