What does henpecked mean?
The term henpecked refers to a man who is dominated or controlled by his wife or female partner, often to the point of humiliation or emasculation. This adjective suggests a power imbalance in the relationship, with the woman taking the dominant role and the man being submissive. The term is often used humorously or critically to imply that the man's lack of assertiveness or dominance is unusual or noteworthy. Henpecked men are typically depicted as doing domestic chores and avoiding conflict with their partners. The term is commonly used in informal contexts and can be considered somewhat derogatory towards men who are seen as submissive.
adjectiveA man who is henpecked is one whose wife or female partner dominates or controls him, often in a humiliating or emasculating way.
- Describing a man dominated by his partner
- Characterized by male submissiveness
"After years of marriage, John had become henpecked, doing all the household chores and never daring to disagree with his wife."
"The henpecked husband was often the subject of jokes among his friends."
"In some cultures, being henpecked is seen as a sign of weakness."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of henpecked
The term henpecked originated in the mid-17th century, derived from the idea of a hen pecking at grain or, by extension, a hen dominating a rooster. The phrase is thought to have been inspired by the observation that hens often dominate roosters in the pecking order of domestic fowl.
How henpecked is actually used
This term often carries a somewhat humorous or pejorative connotation, implying that the man's submissiveness is either surprising or laughable.