noun
femme
fehm
Femme (noun) means a woman, or, in queer contexts, someone whose gender presentation is markedly feminine. Example: “She described herself as a femme lesbian.”
noun
1
A woman, or, in queer contexts, someone whose gender presentation is markedly feminine.
"She described herself as a femme lesbian."
adj
1
Feminine in style or presentation.
"His look for the shoot was deliberately femme."
How to use femme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBorrowed from French; used in English mainly within LGBTQ+ communities to describe a feminine style or identity, distinct from "butch."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- femmes
- Comparative
- more femme
- Superlative
- most femme
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She described herself as a _____ lesbian.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French femme ("woman").
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for femme
See all rhymes for femme →Frequently asked questions
What does “femme” mean?
The word “femme” means a woman, or, in queer contexts, someone whose gender presentation is markedly feminine. In plain terms, borrowed from French; used in English mainly within LGBTQ+ communities to describe a feminine style or identity, distinct from "butch.".
How do you pronounce “femme”?
“Femme” is pronounced fehm (/fɛm/ in IPA).
How do you use “femme” in a sentence?
Here is “femme” used in a sentence: “She described herself as a femme lesbian.”
What part of speech is “femme”?
Depending on how it is used, “femme” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “femme” come from?
The word “femme” comes from French. Borrowed directly from French femme ("woman").
How many meanings does “femme” have?
“Femme” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a woman, or, in queer contexts, someone whose gender presentation is markedly feminine.
