What does defeminisation mean?
Defeminisation is the process or perceived result of removing, denying, or reducing characteristics regarded as feminine. It may be applied to individuals, cultural imagery, social roles, institutions, or broader historical changes. For example, critics might describe a portrayal of a traditionally masculine figure as defeminising if they believe it weakens or removes conventionally masculine qualities, while commentators may use the term to describe alleged cultural shifts that place traditional femininity under pressure. The word belongs primarily to academic and cultural discussion rather than everyday speech, and its use can be politically charged because it may either identify an argued-for social change or label what someone else perceives as such. It is related to, but not always interchangeable with, masculinisation, which more directly suggests the creation or strengthening of masculine characteristics. The US spelling is defeminization, but the meaning and range of usage are broadly the same.
nounThe process or perceived result of removing, denying, or reducing characteristics regarded as feminine, especially in a person, culture, or institution. It can also describe the portrayal or treatment of something as less feminine or more masculine.
- The process of removing or reducing characteristics perceived as feminine, or of representing a person, culture, or institution as less feminine or more masculine.
"The film was criticised for what some viewers regarded as the defeminisation of its central character."
"The film was criticised for what some viewers saw as the defeminisation of its central character."
"Researchers have linked traditional gender roles with the historical defeminisation of women in the workplace."
The plural is grammatically standard but uncommon; singular usage is normally preferred.
"The study compares different defeminisations of the body in twentieth-century art."
Defeminisation sharpens a political question: when a social role changes, is it genuinely becoming less feminine, or merely being read that way?
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does defeminisation come from?
The word is formed in English from the prefix de-, meaning removal or reversal, and feminisation, with the spelling also reflecting the influence of French forms in -isation. Feminine derives from French féminin and ultimately from Latin femina, meaning “woman.” The US form defeminization follows the usual American spelling convention without changing the word's meaning, while feminisation, feminine, and femininity are cognate forms built on the same historical root.
Related word forms
How defeminisation is actually used
The term is used chiefly in the social sciences, humanities, cultural criticism, and gender studies. It can describe an observable change, but it may also express the interpretation of the person making the claim, so phrasing such as “perceived defeminisation” can clarify whose viewpoint is involved. British English generally uses “-isation,” while American English usually uses “-ization.”
Easily confused with defeminisation
Feminisation adds or restores characteristics understood as feminine, whereas defeminisation removes, denies, or suppresses them.