rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybutchMasculine presentation
adjective / noun

butch

BUTCH/bʊtʃ/

Conventionally masculine in appearance or manner, especially in lesbian or queer identity.

She describes her short haircut and masculine style as butch.

A confident adult woman with short cropped hair, sturdy boots and a plain work jacket stands in a relaxed traditionally masculine presentation; dignified and natural, no caricature or sexualization.
Etymology
butchEnglishone who slaughters animals

Butcher was probably shortened to butch, first meaning a “tough youth.” That association with toughness connects the earlier noun to the adjective describing a traditionally masculine appearance or manner.

In context

Women's Liberation Radio News0:38
I want to wear the tie but to me butch lesbian is females loving females women loving women and a lot of people say masculine women
Paula Jellis @ Cinema Systers talking about Butch Lesbianism | WLRN Live Stream

More examples

  • The memoir explores her identity as a butch lesbian.
  • They chose butch clothing that felt comfortable and authentic.
  • Several butches contributed essays about their experiences in the community.

Forms

butch · butches

Similar words

masculine
A broader description of presentation, without the same queer identity associations.