effeminacy
Delicate male manner
Effeminacy is the quality of a man having traits traditionally considered feminine—in manner, appearance, or behavior.
The term carries judgment, implying that such traits are inappropriate in men: His effeminacy made him a target for bullies.
The word reflects cultural assumptions about how men should present themselves, and what constitutes deviation from masculine norms.
Lack of masculine traits
- womanishnessState of seeming feminine
- girlishnessYouthful feminine quality
- sissinessPerceived lack of masculinity
- androgynyCombined sex characteristics
queerness · campness · gender nonconformity · softness · metrosexuality · dandyism · foppishness · masculinity
Refined, petite elegance
- refinementElegance of manner
- fragilityEase of breaking
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
sensitivity · gracefulness · elegance · finesse · softness · lightness · preciousness · prissiness
Soft, kind demeanor
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- meeknessGentle, unassertive disposition
- mildnessGentle, moderate quality
passivity · yielding · weakness · timidity · submissiveness · docility · delicateness · vulnerability
Moral decline through excess
- indulgenceYielding to desire
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- pamperingLavish attentive care
- lavishnessExcessive richness or abundance
hedonism · extravagance · voluptuousness · sumptuousness · plushness · self-indulgence · excess · softness
unmanliness
Lack of masculine traits
- womanishnessState of seeming feminine
- girlishnessYouthful feminine quality
- sissinessPerceived lack of masculinity
androgyny · queerness · campness · gender nonconformity · softness · metrosexuality · dandyism · foppishness · masculinity · manhood
daintiness
Refined, petite elegance
- refinementElegance of manner
- fragilityEase of breaking
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
tenderness · sensitivity · gracefulness · elegance · finesse · softness · lightness · preciousness · prissiness · fastidiousness
gentleness
Soft, kind demeanor
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- meeknessGentle, unassertive disposition
mildness · passivity · yielding · weakness · timidity · submissiveness · docility · delicateness · vulnerability · pliancy
decadence
Moral decline through excess
- indulgenceYielding to desire
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- pamperingLavish attentive care
lavishness · hedonism · extravagance · voluptuousness · sumptuousness · plushness · self-indulgence · excess · softness · sybaritic
effeminacyruggedness
Tough, uneven character
toughness · burliness · brawniness · hardiness · gruffness