Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Slang Exhibiting stereotypical or exaggerated feminine traits. Used especially of lesbians and gay men.
- n. Slang One who is femme.
- n. Informal A woman or girl.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. See feme.
Wiktionary
- n. archaic, rare A woman, a wife, particularly in heraldry.
- n. slang, LGBT A feminine lesbian, and especially one who is attracted to masculine (or butch) lesbians.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. A woman. See feme, n.
Etymologies
- Used in Middle English, from Old French fame et al. The modern spelling is under the influence of Middle and Modern French femme. (Wiktionary)
- French, from Old French, from Latin fēmina; see feminine. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“As he began to introduce The Woman Men Yearn For, film critic Leonard Maltin suggested that it's time people stopped using the term "femme fatale" as their default for describing characters like those portrayed onscreen by Marlene Dietrich.”
The Huffington Post: George Heymont: The Myth of the Deadly Diva
“But even still, the label "femme" was hoisted upon my shoulders shortly after coming out -- but only after I had convinced people that I wasn't bisexual, because apparently, a stereotypically feminine woman, if not straight, is probably bi.”
The Huffington Post: Sasha Lotrian: When You Realize You're a Lesbian
“While I realize that the lesbian community uses the term femme to classify a particular type of lesbian, my blog won't only address lesbians.”
“Turns out this fab femme is Nichole Imperi, owner of Cincinnati-based brand agency Doth Brands.”
Women Grow Business » Eat, Sleep, & Live Your Brand: Straight Talk from Entrepreneur Nichole Imperi
“But the titled femme fatale, Natascha Petrinsky had her shaky moments - both as to pitch and vocal agility.”
The Huffington Post: Donna Perlmutter: Dudamel Opens a New View at Hollywood Bowl
“I was thinking of the word femme in the sense of all females.”
“Cherchez la femme" is the old saying whenever there is trouble afoot.”
Art and Handicraft in the Woman's Building of the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893
“She called her femme-de-chambre to make inquiries about them; but the woman could only show her mistress all the churches, and tell her the names of the streets; she knew nothing of the neighbors.”
“David Ignatius Sunday, July 4, 2010 alleged Russian spy ring is a pleasant summer distraction (Anna Chapman -- call your agent!) and a wonderful opportunity to use the phrase femme fatale.”
“By David Ignatius Commentary by Saturday, July 03, 2010 - Powered by The alleged spy ring is a pleasant summer distraction (Anna Chapman - call your agent!) and a wonderful opportunity to use the phrase femme fatale.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘femme’.
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Interesting words
A list of words that are odd or words that I have looked up.
concupiscence, brize, scree, scoria, forestaff, spanaemia, valetudinarianism, distasture, pyrethrum, laudanum, gentian, bicameral and 11184 more...
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Fandom words
Words that have meaning (or new meaning) because of fandom.
slash, het, drabble, canon, ship, spoiler, wank, lemon, bnf, weeaboo, woobie, fanon and 2 more...
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diioxyde's Words
macabre, egypt, egyptology, queen, love, sex, sister, lover, web, cobweb, line, circle and 223 more...
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fabula's Words
fabulas, pasadizo, laberinto, amazónica, libritos, manzana, ilustración, ilustraciones, trazos, tiralíneas, eufenismo, cinemateca and 217 more...
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List of Heraldry Terms
Words and phrases used in blazoning heraldic devices, along with names and other terms associated with the art and science.
Other similar lists can be found on Wordnik, especially that...seiant, duciper, bourdon, pouch, scrip, staff, ananas, besant d'argent, roundle, roundel, argent, allocamelus and 743 more...
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agirregabiria's Words
educación, quizá, tú, razón, sí, universo, verdad, hijos, ilusión, jardín, lluvia, libertad and 134 more...
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Informal
canary, wishy-washy, brummie, veep, kludge, beaut, moniker, humongous, tushie, ponce, Chinaman, cocky and 44 more...
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Names for Women
Both derogatory and conciliatory.
hellcat, houri, priss, sheila, virago, carlin, termagant, biddy, chit, poppet, wench, hag and 35 more...
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kafkaesque's Words
kafkaesque, twee, internets, vainglorious, tautology, foodie, fop, prelapsarian, tobacconist, druthers, epiphenomenon, rapport and 57 more...
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Cherchez la femme
paris, belle, femme, chic, cheveux, coquette, ennui, ouais, ingenue, etiquette
Tweets
Looking for tweets for femme.
seanahan I probably hear this the most often as part of femme fatale. May 2, 2009
reesetee Yes, I agree--the two terms have vastly differing connotations, at least in this area of the United States. From what I understand, the terms "butch" and "femme" are still fairly widely used but their connotations have shifted over time as well. May 1, 2009
rolig Or perhaps some lesbian Wordie-er. I believe this is a fairly old term among lesbians for a homosexual woman who is attracted to "butch" women (i.e. women who to some degree adopt or possess traditionally masculine gender attributes in manner and dress) but who herself acts and dresses in ways that are considered traditionally feminine. A related term, originating in the late 1980s or early 1990s, is "lipstick lesbian" but I think this has different, and more political, connotations. Apr 26, 2009
semantico Woman in french, but I hope some french Wordie(r) will help us with nuances... Apr 26, 2009