Butch

Masculine pet name

Butch is a term often used to describe a gender expression or identity that leans toward masculinity, particularly among lesbians and queer communities.

Historically, butch gained prominence in mid-20th-century lesbian subcultures, where it signified a distinct role or presentation, often paired with “femme” as its counterpart.

Butch style frequently includes short haircuts, tailored clothing, and a rejection of traditional feminine norms.

In queer slang, butch can also refer to assertiveness or toughness: She’s butch enough to fix the car herself.

masculine-presentation

androgynous

Neither distinctly male nor female

  • tomboyGirl favoring rough play
  • mascMale gender shorthand
  • swaggerConfident, boastful manner

leather · boots · binder · handsome · dapper · stud · chivalry · suspenders · flannel · undercut

lesbian-culture

femme

Feminine-presenting queer person

  • dykeEmbankment preventing floods
  • sapphicWomen attracted to women
  • lesbianWoman desiring women

queer · LGBTQ · pride · Stonewall · community · visibility · identity · coming-out · ally · activism

name

Cassidy

Famous bank robber

nickname · tough-guy · gangster · pet-name · bulldog · rugged · old-fashioned · American · working-class

Categories
Opposites
gender presentation/expression

Butchfemme

Feminine-presenting queer person

feminine · girly · ladylike · high femme · lipstick lesbian

masculinity intensity

Butchgentle

Soft and kind

soft · delicate · dainty · tender · meek

Phrases
Family

butcher, butchery, butchers, butchered, butchering

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG