girlish features

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "girlish features" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe physical characteristics that are typically associated with a youthful or feminine appearance. Example: "Her girlish features, with soft cheeks and bright eyes, made her look much younger than her actual age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With her tangled brown hair, marblelike brownish-green eyes and smooth girlish features, Crum is a face of the homeless that Washington area residents rarely see.

The Washington Post

For his spring 2011 show, Raf Simons used Andrej Pejic, a model with long blond hair and girlish features, because, as Mr. Simons said, his collection of zippered cotton tunics and wide trousers dealt in part with the subject of transgender.

The New York Times

Haymes, like Van Sant, instantly felt there was something special about Gabe (his long flowing locks and girlish features were clearly a powerful combo), and what was supposed to be an afternoon photoshoot turned into four years of obsessive documentation of Gabe's life.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Cranach made radiantly personable portraits of court figures and sweet nudes — both Biblical (Eve) and mythological (Venus, Diana, the Three Graces) — featuring girlish, impossibly long-waisted bodies and generic expressions whose repetition somehow doesn't spoil the freshness of each image.

The New Yorker

With her fine features and girlish figure decked out in Bogart "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" drag (the burlapy, earth-toned costumes are by the talented Marina Draghici), and squeezing her money bag like a pair of testicles, she presents a sharp contrast to Gloria Foster's memorable performance in Ntozake Shange's adaptation at the Public, in 1980.

The New Yorker

Age 39, with small features and girlish looks, Hoering is California born and raised, save for a short time she spent studying at the Arizona Metaphysical Society.

Los Angeles Times

Then you notice its one distinguishing feature, a girlish hiccup that the singer uses over and over until it's irritating as hell.

Wikipedia

She had been given a fluffed-out girlish hairdo and her facial features had been softened.

The New York Times - Arts

On "Caucasian Portrait," Mrs. Dudayeva — who has delicate features and a light, girlish voice — paints her guest's portrait while conducting an interview.

The New York Times

Inspired by the emerging grunge music scene, the collection featured unorthodox combinations such as flowered, girlish dresses paired with combat boots to achieve a disheveled and individualistic look.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As usual most of the songs feature India.Arie's acoustic guitar and her forthright but still girlish voice, with its Stevie Wonder phrasing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone, follow the usage of "girlish features" with more specific details to provide a comprehensive picture of their appearance and avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "girlish features" as the sole descriptor of a character, as it can flatten their complexity and reinforce stereotypes. Integrate other descriptive elements that highlight character traits or individual style to offer a more complete and nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "girlish features" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It is commonly used to highlight physical attributes considered both youthful and feminine. Ludwig shows it is mostly employed in descriptive writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "girlish features" is a phrase used to describe physical traits associated with youth and femininity. It functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in descriptive writing. While the phrase is useful for conveying specific imagery, writers should be mindful of potential stereotypes and overgeneralizations. Related alternatives include "youthful appearance" and "delicate features", which can offer less gendered options. Given its association with youth, it's best to avoid using this term to describe men. By considering these nuances, you can effectively and sensitively use "girlish features" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

youthful looks

Highlights a young or immature physical appearance.

youthful appearance

Focuses on the aspect of being young, omitting explicit feminine association.

feminine traits

Emphasizes the feminine aspect, without the implication of youth.

feminine appearance

Emphasizes the female aspect of someone's looks.

childlike characteristics

Highlights innocence and naivety, often associated with childhood.

childlike appearance

Highlights the immaturity and innocence in the overall look.

delicate features

Refers to subtle and refined facial features, common in youthful or feminine appearances.

delicate looks

Focuses on the subtlety and fineness of someone's appearance.

innocent looks

Implies a pure and unblemished appearance, typical of youth.

petite features

Highlights the small and dainty aspects of someone's facial features.

FAQs

How can I use "girlish features" in a sentence?

You can use "girlish features" to describe someone who has a youthful and feminine appearance. For example, "Her girlish features made her look younger than her actual age".

What is a less gendered alternative to "girlish features"?

If you want to avoid gendered language, you can use alternatives such as "youthful appearance" or "delicate features", depending on the specific trait you want to highlight.

Is it appropriate to use "girlish features" to describe a man?

Generally, "girlish features" is used to describe women or girls. Describing a man this way might be confusing or carry unintended implications. You could instead describe a man as having "youthful looks" or "delicate features" if applicable.

What's the difference between "girlish features" and "feminine features"?

"Girlish features" implies youthfulness and innocence, while "feminine features" simply refers to traits typically associated with women, without necessarily implying youth. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize youth or simply femininity.