butch

[ booch ]
See synonyms for butch on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Slang.

    • a woman or girl, especially one who is LGBTQ+, who embraces identity markers such as clothing, hairstyle, interests, or behaviors that are associated with traditional expressions of masculinity: I settled down with a nice butch and am happily married

    • a gay man who embraces identity markers that are associated with normative expressions of masculinity.

    • any person who adopts a masculine appearance, manner, or persona.

  2. Informal. butch haircut.

adjective
  1. Slang.

    • (of a girl or woman, especially one who is LGBTQ+) having identity markers usually associated with traditional expressions of masculinity: This shirt brand is very popular with my butch lesbian friends.

    • (of a boy or man) decidedly masculine in manner or appearance.

Origin of butch

1
First recorded in 1940–45; apparently from the proper name
  • Compare femme for defs. 1, 3.

Words Nearby butch

Other definitions for Butch (2 of 2)

Butch
[ booch ]

noun
  1. a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use butch in a sentence

  • Of course 'butch' is more in keeping, but I do believe that Christian adds to his dignity in spite of his ears.

  • His immediate superior was "butch," but his ultimate superior was Mr. Cressy, the steward; and to him he now went.

    Tom Slade with the Colors | Percy K. Fitzhugh
  • Their first endeavor was to capture "butch" McCoy, the leader of the gang.

    True Detective Stories | Cleveland Moffett
  • "Why don't yer hide yer fat carcass," sung out butch' in fierce wrath.

    Buckskin Mose | Buckskin Mose
  • The fatigue of the past two days and night had kept me somewhat in the rear of the party, with butch' and "Fatty."

    Buckskin Mose | Buckskin Mose

British Dictionary definitions for butch

butch

/ (bʊtʃ) slang /


adjective
  1. (of a woman or man) markedly or aggressively masculine

noun
  1. a lesbian who is noticeably masculine

  2. a strong rugged man

Origin of butch

1
C18: back formation from butcher

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012