feminine

The word “feminine” means having qualities traditionally associated with women, such as gentleness or delicacy. In plain terms, describes traits or things culturally or grammatically associated with women, as opposed to "female," which is more about biological sex.

“Feminine” is pronounced FEH-mih-nihn (/ˈfɛmɪnɪn/ in IPA).

Here is “feminine” used in a sentence: “She has a very feminine sense of style.”

Words with a similar meaning to “feminine” include caring, ladylike, nurturing, beauty, fem and femme.

The opposite of “feminine” — its antonyms — are male, manly, butch, masculine and neuter.

“Feminine” is an adjective.

The word “feminine” comes from Latin. From Old French feminin, from Latin femininus, from femina ("woman").

“Feminine” is a fairly common word in modern English.

"Female" refers to biological sex and applies to people, animals, and plants, as in "a female cat". "Feminine" describes qualities, styles, or behaviours traditionally associated with women, so a person of any sex can be described as feminine.

Both relate to qualities associated with women, but "womanly" usually suggests the qualities of a mature, adult woman. "Feminine" is broader, can describe delicacy or softness at any age, and is also used as a grammatical term.

In grammar, "feminine" is a gender category used in languages that mark gender, and it includes words for female beings along with many other nouns. For example, in French "la table" (the table) is grammatically feminine even though a table has no sex.

"Feminine" describes qualities traditionally linked with women, while "masculine" describes qualities traditionally linked with men. In grammar they are two contrasting gender categories, and they are commonly treated as opposites.