Effete — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /i-ˈfēt/ ef·fete

Meaning & Definition of Effete

Effete (adjective)

  1. no longer fertile
  2. having lost character, vitality, or strength
  3. marked by weakness or decadence

Effete (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit

    "the soft, effete society that marked the final years of the Roman empire"

    similar: decadent, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up
    related: overrefined, precious, decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning, debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy, dissolute, immoral, debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated

  2. lacking bodily strength

    "the outdoor adventure program takes effete youths and turns them into hardy campers"

    similar: asthenic, debilitated, delicate, down-and-out, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy
    related: disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy, drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, unsound, resistless, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding
    opposite: mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong
    near: able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile, hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough, fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound, capable, competent, convalescing, recovering, recuperating

  3. lacking strength of will or character

    "the governor is too effete to take on the powerful special interests that really run this state"

    similar: characterless, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, nerveless, soft, spineless, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wet (British), wimpish, wimpy, wishy-washy
    related: flabby, flaccid, forceless, ineffective, ineffectual, impotent, impuissant, powerless, emasculated, unnerved, lamblike, meek, pliable, submissive, corrupt, dastardly, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous, cowardly, craven, fainthearted, lily-livered, nebbishy, poltroon, pusillanimous, sissy, timid, infirm, irresolute, vacillating
    opposite: backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough
    near: ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous, determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting, courageous, stalwart, stouthearted

  4. of or relating to a man who has or displays qualities traditionally considered more suitable for women

    "wore a slightly more effete style of clothing in those days"

    similar: effeminate, epicene, sissified, sissy, unmanly, womanish
    related: feminine, girlish, girlie, womanlike, womanly, old-maidish, overnice, prissy, spinsterish, dandyish, dudish, foppish, sappy, camp, campy, antimacho
    opposite: manlike, manly, mannish, masculine, virile

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Effete

The most common words with a similar meaning to Effete:

British: wet
decadent, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up, asthenic, debilitated, delicate, down-and-out, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy, characterless, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, nerveless, spineless, weak-kneed, weakling, wishy-washy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Effete

Words with the opposite meaning of Effete:

mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, backboned, firm, hard, tough, manlike, manly, mannish, masculine, virile

Related Words for Effete

overrefined, precious, decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning, enervate, dissolute, immoral, debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky

Near Antonyms of Effete

able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound, capable, competent, convalescing

Word Forms of Effete

Derived words: effetely (adverb), effeteness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Effete

Latin effetus, from ex- + fetus fruitful feminine

First known use: 1660

Frequently Asked Questions about Effete

What does "Effete" mean?

"Effete" means no longer fertile. As an adjective, it is defined as: no longer fertile. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Effete"?

Other words for "Effete" include decadent, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up, asthenic, debilitated and delicate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Effete" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Effete"?

There are 139 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Effete". Common alternatives include decadent, decayed, degenerate, overripe, washed-up, asthenic, debilitated, delicate, down-and-out and enervated.

What is the opposite of "Effete"?

Antonyms of "Effete" include mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, backboned and firm. Near antonyms include able-bodied, athletic, beefy and brawny.

How do you use "Effete" in a sentence?

Examples of "Effete" in a sentence: "the soft, effete society that marked the final years of the Roman empire"; "the outdoor adventure program takes effete youths and turns them into hardy campers"; "the governor is too effete to take on the powerful special interests that really run this state".

Is "Effete" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Effete" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Effete"?

"Effete" is pronounced /i-ˈfēt/ and divided into syllables as ef·fete.

What is the origin of the word "Effete"?

"Effete" comes from Latin effetus, from ex- + fetus fruitful feminine. First known use: 1660.