androgyny
Neither distinctly gendered
Androgyny is the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics in one person—whether in appearance, behavior, or identity.
Someone with androgyny may be difficult to categorize as male or female at a glance: Her androgyny made casting directors consider her for roles written for either gender.
The term applies to fashion, aesthetics, and gender expression more broadly.
Pertaining to women
- masculineMale in character
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- epiceneOf indeterminate gender
- boyishResembling a young lad
elfin · delicate · angular · features · presentation · soft · chiseled · lithe
Outside male-female categories
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
- bigenderTwo-gender identity
- agenderHaving no gender identity
- gender-nonconformingNot adhering to typical roles
Atypical sex development
- hermaphroditeBoth sexes in one
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
Suitable for any gender
- gender-neutralWithout sex distinction
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
tailoring · oversize · blazer · tuxedo · asymmetry · monochrome · draping · runway
Twofold nature
- blendCombine into mixture
- fusionJoining into unity
- mixtureCombined but unbonded substances
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
harmony · equilibrium · combination · integration · unity · spectrum · continuum · fluidity
Sightless oracle of Thebes
- shapeshifterBeing altering its form
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- deityWorshipped supernatural being
- divineOf or from gods
sacred · transformation · rebirth · Dionysus · Loki
feminine
Pertaining to women
boyish · elfin · delicate · angular · features · presentation · soft · chiseled · lithe · willowy
nonbinary
Outside male-female categories
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
- bigenderTwo-gender identity
- agenderHaving no gender identity
gender-nonconforming · enby · intersex · two-spirit · gender-expansive
intersex
Atypical sex development
- hermaphroditeBoth sexes in one
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
phenotype · endocrinology · gynecomastia · testosterone · estrogen
unisex
Suitable for any gender
- gender-neutralWithout sex distinction
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
minimalism · tailoring · oversize · blazer · tuxedo · asymmetry · monochrome · draping · runway · aesthetic
duality
Twofold nature
synthesis · harmony · equilibrium · combination · integration · unity · spectrum · continuum · fluidity · interplay
Tiresias
Sightless oracle of Thebes
- shapeshifterBeing altering its form
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- deityWorshipped supernatural being
divine · sacred · transformation · rebirth · Dionysus · Loki
- Visual Keihide, Versailles, elaborate costumes, teased hair, platform boots
- fashion stylescasual wear, bohemian, formal wear, preppy, romantic
- gender expressionbutch, femme, feminine, femininity, masculine
- gender studiesfemininity, masculinity, gender norms, gender fluidity, womanhood
- Glam RockT. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet, glitter, platform boots
- gender identitynonbinary, genderfluid, genderqueer, bigender, agender
androgynyhypermasculinity
Exaggerated traditional male traits
masculinity · femininity · machismo · macho · gender conformity