What does feminising mean?
Feminising is the present participle of the verb "feminise," meaning to make something more feminine in character, style, or quality. It appears most often in cultural and political discussion, where writers may describe, for instance, the feminising of a product range, a workplace, or an institution — meaning those settings are taking on traits conventionally associated with women, such as softer aesthetics, collaborative norms, or greater gender balance. The word also has a precise technical sense in medicine: certain hormones, notably oestrogens, have a feminising effect on the body, promoting female secondary characteristics such as breast development. This dual life makes the word useful across registers, from everyday commentary on design and branding to clinical literature on endocrinology and gender-affirming care. Because debates about gendered qualities can be charged, the word's connotation often depends on the speaker's viewpoint: some use it approvingly of inclusive change, others critically of perceived erosion of tradition. It is spelled with an s in British English and with a z in American English.
verb (present participle)The present participle of the verb "feminise": to make something or someone more feminine in character, appearance, or quality, or to cause a male organism to develop female characteristics.
- To give something feminine qualities or character, especially in culture, design, or institutions (e.g. feminising a workplace or an industry).
- In medicine and biology, to induce female physical characteristics, typically through hormones (e.g. oestrogen therapy having a feminising effect).
"Critics argued that the new advertising campaign was feminising the brand's traditionally rugged image."
"The new curator has been quietly feminising the gallery's collection, acquiring far more works by women artists."
"In transgender healthcare, feminising hormone therapy promotes the development of secondary female characteristics."
In biology, the same word that describes a softening brand aesthetic also names a real hormonal process — oestrogen literally feminises tissue development.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feminising
Feminising derives from Latin "femina," meaning "woman." The root entered English via the adjective "feminine" in the Middle Ages, and the verb "feminise" formed later by adding the Latinate verbal suffix -ise, with first attestations dating from around the nineteenth century. The same Latin root gives us a whole cluster of related words, including feminism, femininity, effeminate, and effeminacy, all preserving the ancient idea of woman-related qualities.
Related word forms
How feminising is actually used
"Feminising" is the standard British spelling; American English uses "feminizing" with a z. In social and political commentary, the word can carry a critical or dismissive tone when speakers lament the perceived feminising of traditionally male domains, so context and stance matter greatly. In medical writing it is neutral and technical.
Easily confused with feminising
"Feminine" is an adjective describing qualities already considered womanly, whereas "feminising" describes the active process of making something more feminine.