How to pronounce effeminate
Say it like ee-FEM-ih-nut. Effeminate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce effeminate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ee
- FEM
- ih
- nut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Effeminate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- FEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of effeminate
American and British speakers say effeminate in essentially the same way: /iˈfɛmɪnət/ in the US and /iˈfɛmɪnət/ in the UK.
British respelling: ee-FEM-ih-nut.
What does effeminate mean?
- To become womanly.
- An effeminate person.
Where does effeminate come from?
From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying effeminate
How do you pronounce effeminate?
Say ee-FEM-ih-nut. The American pronunciation is /iˈfɛmɪnət/. In British English it is /iˈfɛmɪnət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in effeminate?
Effeminate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEM). Broken into parts: ee · FEM · ih · nut.
Do Americans and Brits say effeminate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /iˈfɛmɪnət/ and the British form is /iˈfɛmɪnət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.