effete
effete — adjective
- effetepositive
- more effetecomparative
- most effetesuperlative
1. having lost the strength, energy, or effectiveness that something once had — use
having lost the strength, energy, or effectiveness that something once had — used especially of institutions, societies, or systems that have declined from a former vigorous state.
Sahil watched his once-proud university become an effete institution that avoided every difficult debate.
collocation: effete institution / effete leadership
Stephanie argued that the museum's effete board cared more about fundraisers than actual paintings.
The old empire's effete military could not defend its borders against the invading armies.
Hoa saw her political party as effete and outdated, still using strategies from the 1950s.
When the crisis hit, the company's effete leadership simply waited for someone else to act.
用法筆記
Typically describes institutions, systems, or groups that have declined, not temporary personal weakness. Less common for individuals describing their own state.
常見錯誤
2. (of a man) having qualities or mannerisms once traditionally associated with wom
(of a man) having qualities or mannerisms once traditionally associated with women — a usage now widely regarded as dated and often offensive.
The old novel portrayed the villain as effete, with delicate hands and a thin voice.
dated register: fictional framing
Mira found the character's effete mannerisms offensive and refused to teach the book.
usage warning: modern critical stance
Kenji explained to his students why the word 'effete' was used differently in Victorian literature.
The outdated textbook still called boys who preferred poetry to sports 'effete'.
- effeminate
also dated and often pejorative; more direct synonym
- womanly
offensive when used to describe a man negatively
用法筆記
This sense is dated and widely considered offensive. It reinforces harmful gender stereotypes and should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in modern writing. Modern alternatives include avoiding the judgment entirely or using neutral descriptions of personal interests and mannerisms.
常見錯誤
3. having an exaggerated or artificial refinement that seems weak, silly, or insinc
having an exaggerated or artificial refinement that seems weak, silly, or insincere — used to criticize someone who is overly concerned with elegant tastes and delicate manners at the expense of strength or substance.
Critics dismissed the poet as an effete aesthete who valued fancy words over real emotion.
collocation: effete aesthete
Stefan found the dinner party's atmosphere effete and tiresome, full of chatter about rare wines.
Kasia laughed at the effete fashion blog that called every ordinary shirt 'exquisitely decadent linen'.
The magazine's effete style appealed only to a tiny group of wealthy subscribers.
Vinícius criticized the artist's effete approach as disconnected from the lives of ordinary people.
- pretentious
claims greater importance or skill than warranted; more neutral register
- affected
artificial or put-on behavior rather than genuine refinement
- precious
overly refined in a delicate, self-conscious way
- decadent
suggests moral decay and self-indulgence alongside refinement
- earthy
direct, practical, and unpretentious
- unpretentious
not trying to appear more important or refined than reality
- robust
strong and healthy, not weakened by over-refinement
用法筆記
Often carries a dismissive or mocking tone. The criticism targets aesthetic or cultural refinement perceived as excessive, pretentious, or disconnected from practical reality. Not used for neutral descriptions of high culture.