femme

Showing a feminine style or identity as a lesbian or queer person.

• She is a femme lesbian.
• Her femme style includes bright lipstick.
• They discussed femme identity at the community meeting.

Opposites: butch

Common phrases: femme lesbian, femme identity, femme style

Having qualities or an appearance traditionally associated with women.

• The outfit gave him a femme appearance.
• She prefers femme clothing.
• Their presentation became more femme over time.

Similar words: feminine

Opposites: masculine

Common phrases: femme appearance, femme clothing, femme presentation

A lesbian or other queer woman who has a feminine appearance or identity.

• She identifies as a femme.
• The group welcomes both butches and femmes.
• As a queer femme, she enjoys expressing her femininity.

Similar words: fem

Opposites: butch

Common phrases: queer femme, butch and femme

A woman, especially a young woman; sometimes someone's wife.

• A young femme joined the group.
• He arrived with his femme beside him.
• The photograph shows three stylish femmes outside a café.

Similar words: woman, wife, girl

Common phrases: young femme, stylish femme

To make someone or something look or feel more feminine.

• These earrings femme up the outfit.
• She femmed up her look with lipstick.
• Can you femme this jacket up with some accessories?

How to use it: femme someone/something up (A silk scarf can femme up a plain outfit.)

Similar words: feminize

Common phrases: femme someone up, femme something up