What femboy means
A femboy is a man or boy, usually young, who presents in a feminine way: through clothes such as skirts, thigh-high socks and crop tops, make-up, long hair, or feminine mannerisms. The word is a mix of "feminine" and "boy".
Being a femboy is about presentation and style, not about who someone is attracted to. A femboy can be straight, gay, bisexual or anything else, and most identify as men.
For many people it is simply a way of expressing themselves that feels comfortable and fun, without changing their gender identity.
Femboy, trans and non-binary: the differences
A femboy usually still identifies as male. A trans woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth; she is not a femboy, and calling her one can be hurtful. Non-binary people identify as neither only male nor only female.
Some people explore femboy fashion before realising they are trans or non-binary, and others never do. The only person who can say how someone identifies is that person.
If you are not sure, it is fine to ask politely which words someone prefers, and then use them. Our guide What is a TS escort? explains some of the other terms you may see.
Where the trend came from
Feminine men have existed in every culture and era, from glam rock to drag. The word femboy grew in online communities, gaming and anime fandoms in the 2000s and 2010s, where feminine male characters are common.
Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Reddit made the style far more visible in the 2020s, with "femboy" fashion, memes and communities attracting millions of followers.
The word is also used in adult content and dating, which is one reason it is so widely searched. Outside those spaces, it is mostly about fashion and identity.
Talking about femboys respectfully
Treat femboys like anyone else: respect their name, pronouns and boundaries, and do not assume anything about their sexuality or what they are interested in.
Avoid turning someone's appearance into a joke or a fetish without their agreement. Many femboys get unwanted messages online, so polite, normal conversation stands out.
If you are exploring femboy style yourself, start with what feels comfortable, find supportive communities, and remember that how you dress does not have to define anything else about you.
Your questions, answered
Is a femboy gay?
Not necessarily: femboy describes feminine presentation, not sexuality, so a femboy can be any orientation.
Is a femboy trans?
Usually not: most femboys identify as men. A trans woman is a woman and should not be called a femboy.
What do femboys wear?
Common styles include skirts, thigh-high socks, crop tops, oversized jumpers and make-up, but there are no fixed rules.