What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
femme
Example
She's been dating her femme partner for two years now. [femme: noun]
Example
She always dresses so elegantly and carries herself like a true femme. [femme: adjective]
dame
Example
The dame of the house welcomed us warmly and showed us around. [dame: noun]
Example
She's a dame in the field of science, having made groundbreaking discoveries. [dame: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dame is more commonly used than femme in everyday language, especially in formal or literary contexts. Femme is more commonly used in LGBTQ+ communities or in fashion and beauty industries.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between femme and dame?
Dame is more formal and has a more serious tone, while femme is more informal and has a more playful or lighthearted tone. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.