effete

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mostly that has meant pretending to be a Real American by riding horses, going hunting or driving around in a pick-up to prove they aren’t some effete city slicker.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2025

“I’ll go after him for being ‘this effete knower of arcane knowledge, who knows little tidbits that no one would care about.’

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

The network was widely perceived as stuffy and effete.

From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2022

It seemed that suddenly, people — men, largely — who perhaps were always cosmetically curious, but afraid of appearing effete, were giving it a try.

From New York Times • May 10, 2021

Traditionally, effete has meant “barren,” “used up,” or “worn out.”

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner