butch
Butch (adjective) means noticeably masculine in appearance or manner, especially describing a woman. Example: “She had a butch style, all boots and cropped hair.”
How to Use Butch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTough, masculine-presenting — commonly used within lesbian communities to describe a masculine style or identity.
Can be neutral or affectionate within LGBTQ+ communities but can read as a stereotype outside that context.
Word Forms
butcher comparative, more butch comparative, butched past tense, butches plural, butches singular, butchest superlative, most butch superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had a _____ style, all boots and cropped hair.
Etymology
Probably originally short for "butcher"; the meaning "masculine lesbian" developed in the 1940s.
Rhymes for butch
See all rhymes for 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.