unmasculine
Lacking masculine traits
Unmasculine describes qualities, behaviors, or appearances that don't conform to conventional expectations of masculinity.
The term implies a departure from traits culturally associated with men—strength, stoicism, aggression: He worried that crying in public would seem unmasculine.
Like most words built on gender norms, what counts as unmasculine shifts across cultures and eras.
Pertaining to women
- sissyPejorative for effeminate male
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- foppishVainly preoccupied with dress
- swishyMaking soft swooshing sounds
pansy · girlish · ladylike · prissy · flamboyant · mincing · limp-wristed · dainty
Easily affected emotionally
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- tenderSoft or sore
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- caringShowing kind concern
empathetic · soft-hearted · emotional · sentimental · affectionate · warmhearted · meek · passive
Easily broken or damaged
- daintyDelicately small and pretty
- slightMinor or thin
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- willowyTall, slim, pliant
slender · petite · graceful · refined · elegant · breakable · frail · weak
Departing from standard practice
- untraditionalNot following custom
- gender-nonconformingNot adhering to typical roles
- metrosexualFashion-focused heterosexual male
- dandyFashion-obsessed gentleman
aesthetic · artistic · bohemian · countercultural · progressive · fluid · queer · nonbinary
feminine
Pertaining to women
- sissyPejorative for effeminate male
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- foppishVainly preoccupied with dress
swishy · pansy · girlish · ladylike · prissy · flamboyant · mincing · limp-wristed · dainty · coy
sensitive
Easily affected emotionally
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- tenderSoft or sore
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
caring · empathetic · soft-hearted · emotional · sentimental · affectionate · warmhearted · meek · passive · submissive
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
willowy · slender · petite · graceful · refined · elegant · breakable · frail · weak · thin-skinned
unconventional
Departing from standard practice
- untraditionalNot following custom
- gender-nonconformingNot adhering to typical roles
- metrosexualFashion-focused heterosexual male
dandy · aesthetic · artistic · bohemian · countercultural · progressive · fluid · queer · nonbinary · unmacho
masculine, unmanly, masculinity, effeminate, emasculate, feminize, emasculated, feminized