adjective
androgynous
an-DROJ-i-nuhss
Androgynous (adjective) means having an appearance or style that mixes masculine and feminine features, so that a person does not read as clearly male or female. Example: “The cut of the suit gave her a striking androgynous look.”
adjective
1
Having an appearance or style that mixes masculine and feminine features, so that a person does not read as clearly male or female.
"The cut of the suit gave her a striking androgynous look."
"He has the kind of androgynous face photographers love."
2
technical In biology, having both male and female characteristics or reproductive parts.
"Many flowering plants are androgynous, carrying both stamens and pistils."
How to use androgynous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLooking a mix of masculine and feminine, rather than clearly one or the other.
When to use it
Neutral; standard in fashion, art criticism and biology.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
androgynous look
androgynous style
androgynous features
strikingly androgynous
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The cut of the suit gave her a striking _____ look.
Etymology
From Greek anēr, andr- 'man' and gynē 'woman'.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for androgynous
See all rhymes for androgynous →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between androgynous and non-binary?
Androgynous describes appearance or presentation that blends masculine and feminine cues, and says nothing about how a person identifies. Non-binary describes a gender identity outside the categories of man and woman. Someone can look androgynous and identify as a woman, or identify as non-binary and present in a very masculine or feminine way.
What is the difference between androgynous and unisex?
Unisex describes items designed to be worn or used by anyone, such as unisex sizing or a unisex fragrance. Androgynous describes the effect of a person's overall look, so it applies to people rather than product lines.
Is androgynous a compliment?
It is a neutral description, and in fashion and photography it is very often admiring. As with any comment on appearance, tone and context decide how it lands.
What is the meaning of androgynous?
"androgynous" (adjective) means having an appearance or style that mixes masculine and feminine features, so that a person does not read as clearly male or female.
