Femme - meaning and definition
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Definition
A term, especially in queer communities, for a person whose style and manner are feminine, often as a conscious, celebrated identity.
At a glance
- Femme describes a feminine style and manner, often as a celebrated identity.
- It developed in lesbian culture alongside butch.
- Today it is used by women, non-binary people and some gay and bisexual men.
- Femme queer people are sometimes wrongly assumed to be straight.
- Many use the word to claim femininity on their own terms.
In detail
Femme developed in lesbian culture alongside butch, and today it is used across queer communities by women, non-binary people and some gay and bisexual men. It describes gender expression and community identity.
Femme identities are sometimes overlooked because feminine queer people may be assumed to be straight. Many people use the word to claim femininity on their own terms.
In a sentence
- As a femme lesbian, I'm tired of people assuming I'm straight.
- The zine features writing by femme artists from across the community.
Where the word comes from
Femme is the French word for woman. It has been used in lesbian communities since at least the mid twentieth century, paired with butch.
Common questions
What does femme mean on a dating profile?
It usually means the person has a feminine style or identifies with femme culture. It describes expression and community identity rather than orientation. Some profiles use it in phrases that exclude femme people, which many find stigmatising.
Can men be femme?
Yes. Some gay and bisexual men and non-binary people use femme to describe their feminine style and identity.