effete

IPA/ɪˈfiːt/
KK[ɛfˈit]IPA/ɪˈfiːt/

effete — 形容詞

  • effetepositive
  • more effetecomparative
  • most effetesuperlative

1. having lost the strength, energy, or effectiveness that something once had — use

1.形容詞C1
釋義

衰微；無力

失去原有力量或影響力

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.

例句

Sahil watched his once-proud university become an effete institution that avoided every difficult debate.

Sahil 看著他曾引以為傲的大學變成一個衰微的機構，迴避所有艱難的辯論。

collocation: effete institution / effete leadership

Stephanie argued that the museum's effete board cared more about fundraisers than actual paintings.

Stephanie 認為博物館的衰微董事會更關心募款活動，而非實際的畫作。

同義詞
  • decadent

    emphasizes moral or cultural decline more than loss of strength

  • enervated

    focuses on drained energy; more formal and less common

  • weak

    broader and less specific; covers temporary states too

  • decayed

    suggests a longer process of gradual deterioration

反義詞
  • vigorous

    full of strength and energy

  • robust

    strong and healthy; able to handle difficulty

  • dynamic

    actively changing and growing

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

❌I felt effete after the long run.
✅I felt exhausted after the long run.
💡effete describes a lasting loss of vitality in an institution or system, not temporary physical tiredness.

2. (of a man) having qualities or mannerisms once traditionally associated with wom

2.形容詞C2
釋義

陰柔

指男子氣質女性化（已過時且含貶義）

(of a man) having qualities or mannerisms once traditionally associated with women — a usage now widely regarded as dated and often offensive.

例句

The old novel portrayed the villain as effete, with delicate hands and a thin voice.

那本舊小說將反派描寫得陰柔，有著纖細的手和細微的嗓音。

dated register: fictional framing

Mira found the character's effete mannerisms offensive and refused to teach the book.

Mira 覺得這個角色的陰柔舉止令人反感，於是拒絕在課堂上教授這本書。

usage warning: modern critical stance

同義詞
  • effeminate

    also dated and often pejorative; more direct synonym

  • womanly

    offensive when used to describe a man negatively

反義詞
  • masculine

    having qualities traditionally associated with men

  • manly

    also carries dated gender stereotypes

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

❌He is effete because he enjoys cooking.
✅Avoid using this sense entirely. Use neutral descriptions like 'He enjoys cooking.
💡effete in this sense is outdated, pejorative, and reinforces harmful stereotypes about gender.

3. having an exaggerated or artificial refinement that seems weak, silly, or insinc

3.形容詞C2
釋義

矯飾；頹廢

過度講究品味而顯得做作

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.

例句

Critics dismissed the poet as an effete aesthete who valued fancy words over real emotion.

評論家們將那位詩人貶為矯飾的唯美主義者，看重華麗詞藻勝過真實情感。

collocation: effete aesthete

Stefan found the dinner party's atmosphere effete and tiresome, full of chatter about rare wines.

Stefan 覺得那場晚宴的氣氛矯飾又無聊，滿是關於稀有葡萄酒的閒聊。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌The restaurant had an effete menu with creative dishes.
✅The restaurant had a pretentious menu with overpriced dishes.
💡effete implies weakness and decline, not mere fanciness or creativity, and sounds odd applied to a single menu.