feminine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feminine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe qualities, characteristics, or attributes that are traditionally associated with women or femininity. Example: "Her style is very feminine, with soft colors and flowing fabrics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Lifestyle

Music

Opinion

Education

Politics

World

Stage

Books

Sport

Arts

Travel

TV & Radio

Global Development

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I sometimes wear skirts and dresses – but they're funky rather than feminine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We need to move beyond the stigma of "that time of the month" – women's feminine hygiene products should be free for all, all the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others realise that although they arrived with better grades than the white Etonion on their course, they won't do as well as he does in their finals because, they are repeatedly told, their writing style is "too feminine".

The Guardian

Then he swung his arms outwards and there was the keel, dripping wet, its gentle curves feminine and sweetly turned".

The Guardian - Opinion

Because their gender roles involved a mixture of both masculine and feminine traits, two-spirit persons could do both the work of men and of women.

The Guardian - Music

Because a family needed both plant foods and meat, a masculine female hunter, in turn, usually married a feminine female, to provide these complementary gender roles for economic survival.

The Guardian - Music

Chris O'Dowd has some feminine elements – he has big eyes and a full mouth, but he is also very hairy and the sheer bulk of his facial apparatus would put him out of the running in any "passing for a woman" competition.

The Guardian - Film

The dichotomy people always cited was between Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio – the former embodied the hyper-masculinised, "gorilla-like" (it's a technical term) face, the latter a face that was considered as feminine as you could get, before you looked so female that you freaked people out.

The Guardian - Film

One on one, with a woman, Murphy is scrupulously courteous, although he does make it clear to me before we begin that I should can any feminine wiles, suggesting that he has been interviewed before by "women who get middle-aged men to say stuff".

The Guardian

The implication is that dressing in a more conventionally feminine way is somehow more frivolous, and can undermine perceptions of a woman's intellectual and professional skills.

The Guardian

And then there's the way Needy figures out what's happened to Jennifer – by feminine intuition!

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feminine" to describe styles, aesthetics, or roles, but be mindful of the potential for cultural or gender biases.

Common error

Don't use "feminine" as a synonym for weakness or lack of capability. Instead, recognize and value the diverse strengths and qualities associated with all genders.

Linguistic Context

The word "feminine" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe qualities, characteristics, or attributes traditionally associated with women. This is evident from examples in Ludwig, where it modifies terms like "hygiene products" and "writing style".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Film

8%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Music

6%

Opinion

6%

Education

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "feminine" is a commonly used adjective for describing traits, characteristics, or attributes traditionally associated with women. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct. The frequency is high, especially in news and media. However, it's important to use "feminine" thoughtfully, avoiding the reinforcement of stereotypes and ensuring accurate reflection of an individual’s identity. Be aware of the potential for misinterpretation and consider alternative, more specific descriptors when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

womanly

Focuses on qualities associated with women, avoiding stereotypes.

ladylike

Emphasizes refinement and grace in behavior or appearance.

female

Directly relates to biological sex or gender identity.

girlish

Suggests youthfulness and innocence.

effeminate

Describes a man or boy having qualities or characteristics more often associated with women.

soft

Implies gentleness, tenderness, or lack of aggression.

gentle

Highlights a mild, kind, or tender nature.

nurturing

Emphasizes caring and supportive qualities.

delicate

Suggests fragility, refinement, and beauty.

graceful

Highlights elegance and poise in movement or style.

FAQs

How can I use "feminine" in a sentence?

You can use "feminine" to describe characteristics, qualities, or attributes traditionally associated with women. For example: "Her style is very feminine, with soft colors and flowing fabrics."

What are some alternatives to the word "feminine"?

You can use alternatives such as "womanly", "ladylike", or "female" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "feminine" and "female"?

"Feminine" describes qualities or characteristics traditionally associated with women, while "female" refers to biological sex or gender identity. Using "feminine" might imply a stereotype, while "female" is more direct and less subjective.

Is it appropriate to use "feminine" to describe men?

Using "feminine" to describe men can be acceptable depending on the context and intent. It typically refers to traits or characteristics more commonly associated with women. Using the term may perpetuate gender stereotypes, so consider your audience and purpose.