defeminize

verb

de·​fem·​i·​nize (ˌ)dē-ˈfe-mə-ˌnīz How to pronounce defeminize (audio)
defeminized; defeminizing; defeminizes

transitive verb

: to divest of feminine qualities or characteristics : masculinize
defeminization
(ˌ)dē-ˌfe-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce defeminize (audio)
noun

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defeminize was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near defeminize

defedation

defeminize

defence

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Defeminize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeminize. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

defeminize

transitive verb
de·​fem·​i·​nize
variants or British defeminise
(ˈ)dē-ˈfem-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce defeminize (audio)
defeminized or British defeminised; defeminizing or British defeminising
: to divest of feminine qualities or physical characteristics : masculinize
defeminization noun
or British defeminisation
-ˌfem-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce defeminize (audio)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...