Effeminize

/ɪˈfɛmɪnaɪz/ verb

Definition

American English: to make effeminate; to cause to lose masculine qualities or adopt feminine characteristics.

Etymology

American English verb formed from adjective 'effeminate' plus the productive '-ize' suffix. Parallels British 'effeminise' exactly, representing the standard American spelling divergence from British conventions.

Kelly Says

The existence of both 'effeminate' and 'effeminize' as verbs is actually redundant—English speakers felt the need to re-verb something that was already verbable, which is the kind of unnecessary complexity that makes English grammar tricky.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

American spelling; same causative/normative framing as other forms.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid. Use 'to adopt feminine expression' or 'to present gender-nonconformingly'.

Inclusive Alternatives

["to adopt feminine expression","to present gender-nonconformingly"]

Related Words

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