Effeminate vs. Effete — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 21, 2024
Effeminate describes a man exhibiting traits traditionally associated with women, while effete refers to being worn out, weak, or lacking vigor and effectiveness.
Difference Between Effeminate and Effete
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Effeminate characterizes a man who displays behaviors or attributes typically associated with women, such as softness, delicacy, or gentleness. This term often carries a negative connotation, implying that the man lacks traditional masculine qualities. Effete, on the other hand, describes something or someone that is exhausted, ineffective, or no longer capable of action or productivity. This term can refer to people, organizations, or even societies that have lost their strength or vitality.
In social contexts, effeminate is often used to critique or stereotype men who do not conform to traditional masculine roles, focusing on perceived gender traits. Effete, however, is broader and can apply to various contexts where strength, effectiveness, or productivity is diminished, often carrying a tone of decay or obsolescence.
When discussing personality traits, effeminate focuses on gender-related characteristics, whereas effete emphasizes a general decline in vigor or capability. Both terms convey different kinds of perceived inadequacies, but effeminate is more about gender expression while effete is about loss of strength and effectiveness.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Exhibiting traits traditionally associated with women
Worn out, weak, lacking vigor and effectiveness
Connotation
Often negative, related to gender roles
Negative, related to decline and ineffectiveness
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Usage Context
Describing men with feminine traits
Describing weakened or ineffective states
Focus
Gender-related characteristics
General decline in strength or productivity
Examples
An effeminate manner, effeminate voice
An effete empire, effete aristocracy
Compare with Definitions
Effeminate
Having traits traditionally associated with women.
His effeminate mannerisms made him stand out in the conservative community.
Effete
Exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out.
The effete leadership struggled to inspire the populace.
Effeminate
Showing refinement or gentleness that is stereotypically female.
The young man’s effeminate grace was evident in his movements.
Effete
Decadent or self-indulgent to the point of inefficacy.
The effete aristocracy lived in luxury while the country suffered.
Effeminate
Lacking traditional masculine qualities.
The actor played the role with an effeminate touch.
Effete
Having lost character, vitality, or strength.
The effete cultural practices were seen as outdated.
Effeminate
Described as overly sensitive or gentle.
His effeminate behavior was often misunderstood.
Effete
Overrefined and lacking in robustness.
The effete policies failed to address the real issues.
Effeminate
Exhibiting softness or delicacy in a way considered unmanly.
He was teased for his effeminate voice.
Effete
Affected, over-refined, and ineffectual
Effete trendies from art college
Effeminate
(of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly
He lisps and his handshake is effeminate
Effete
Characterized by extreme refinement or self-indulgence, often to the point of unworldiness or decadence
"the effete taste of people surfeited with expensive comforts" (R.P.T. Davenport-Hines).
Effeminate
Having or showing qualities or characteristics more often associated with females than males; unmanly
"gentle, kind, effeminate remorse" (Shakespeare).
Effete
Having or reflecting an attitude of social superiority; pretentious or snobbish
"Throughout its amateur era tennis was a country club sport, denigrated as elitist and effete" (Stuart Miller).
Effeminate
Exhibiting behaviour or mannerisms considered typical of a female; unmasculine.
Effete
Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; exhausted
The effete monarchies of Europe.
Effeminate
(obsolete) Womanly; tender, affectionate, caring.
Effete
Effeminate
"As a manly adventurer ... [Saint Paul] seemed the perfect rebuttal to our great, if unspoken, fear that the celibate vocation was effete" (James Carroll).
Effeminate
To make womanly; to unman.
Effete
(Archaic) No longer productive; infertile.
Effeminate
(intransitive) To become womanly.
Effete
(obsolete) Of substances, quantities etc: exhausted, spent, worn-out.
Effeminate
An effeminate person.
Effete
Lacking strength or vitality; feeble, powerless, impotent.
Effeminate
Having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak.
The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.
An effeminate and unmanly foppery.
Effete
Decadent, weak through self-indulgence.
Effeminate
Womanlike; womanly; tender; - in a good sense.
Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.
Effete
Affected, overrefined.
Effeminate
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.
Effete
No longer capable of producing young, as an animal, or fruit, as the earth; hence, worn out with age; exhausted of energy; incapable of efficient action; no longer productive; barren; sterile.
Effete results from virile efforts.
If they find the old governments effete, worn out, . . . they may seek new ones.
Effeminate
To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt.
Effete
Marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay;
A decadent life of excessive money and no sense of responsibility
A group of effete self-professed intellectuals
Effeminate
Having unsuitable feminine qualities
Effete
No longer effective or productive.
The once powerful industry had become effete over the years.
Effeminate
Characterized by excessive softness or self-indulgence;
An effeminate civilization
Common Curiosities
What does effeminate mean?
Effeminate means exhibiting traits traditionally associated with women.
Is effeminate always negative?
Often, yes, it carries a negative connotation implying a lack of traditional masculine qualities.
Can effeminate be used for women?
No, effeminate is specifically used to describe men who show traits traditionally associated with women.
Can effete describe objects or systems?
Yes, effete can describe objects, systems, or organizations that have become ineffective or weakened.
What does effete mean?
Effete means being worn out, weak, or lacking in vigor and effectiveness.
Is effete always negative?
Yes, effete typically carries a negative connotation of decline or ineffectiveness.
What is an example of an effete organization?
An old, bureaucratic company that fails to innovate could be described as effete.
Can effeminate describe style or fashion?
Yes, it can describe a man’s style or fashion that is seen as delicate or feminine.
Can effete describe a person's physical state?
Yes, if someone is physically exhausted or weak, they could be described as effete.
Does effeminate refer to sexual orientation?
No, effeminate refers to gender expression, not sexual orientation.
Can effete describe a cultural movement?
Yes, a cultural movement that has lost its influence or vigor can be described as effete.
What is an example of effeminate behavior?
Speaking in a high-pitched, gentle voice can be considered effeminate behavior.
Can effeminate be positive?
It can be neutral or positive in contexts that value gender diversity and expression.
Does effete imply moral judgment?
Often, yes, it can imply a moral judgment about decline or decadence.
Are effeminate and effete interchangeable?
No, they describe different aspects and are not interchangeable. Effeminate is about gender traits; effete is about decline and weakness.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
