Enby is an informal slang word for a non-binary person whose gender identity sits outside the binary of male or female.
What Enby Means
Enby functions primarily as a noun meaning a non-binary individual. English has common words like “man,” “woman,” “boy,” and “girl,” but lacks a casual, single-word term for people outside the binary. Enby fills that role.
The term can also act as an adjective in informal conversation. People use it to describe things related to non-binary people, such as “enby fashion” or “enby culture.” In both uses, it refers to anyone whose gender is not strictly masculine or feminine.
Where Enby Came From
Enby is a phonetic spelling of the abbreviation “NB,” which stands for non-binary. When spoken aloud, saying the letters “N” and “B” sounds identical to the word enby.
The term arose in online LGBTQ+ spaces, especially Tumblr, in the early 2010s. Community members wanted a relaxed noun parallel to “guy” or “girl.” Unlike many popular internet slang terms that originate in gaming or comedy streams, enby grew directly out of digital identity discussions.
How People Use It
People use enby in everyday texts, social captions, and forum posts as a casual self-descriptor. It offers a warm, personal alternative to more clinical language.
Online, users frequently place the word in profile bios next to pronouns and safety labels like MDNI. Fans and creators also use it when discussing non-binary representation in books, games, and television.
Example Messages
Here are realistic examples showing how people use enby in conversation:
- “My sibling came out as an enby, and everyone has been super supportive.”
- “I need outfit inspiration from fellow enby creators on my feed.”
- “Updated my bio today so people know I am an enby who uses they/them.”
- “Are there any good novels with an enby protagonist?”
- “Going to a local enby social night this weekend if anyone wants to come.”
How to Reply to It
When someone tells you they are an enby, respond with simple respect and acceptance. If you do not know their pronouns, ask politely.
If someone leaves a rude or bad-faith comment about someone’s identity, onlookers often reply with BFFR to tell them to be f***ing for real. In everyday chat, simply treat the term naturally, just as you would when someone mentions they are a guy or a girl.
When to Avoid Using Enby
Enby is not an insult, but some non-binary adults dislike it. Because it sounds similar to “baby” and mimics diminutive terms like “boy” or “girl,” certain adults find it infantilizing.
Avoid using enby for someone unless you know they welcome it. In formal, medical, academic, or professional contexts, stick to “non-binary person” or “non-binary adult.”
Similar Terms
A few related terms share space with enby online:
- NB: The written abbreviation for non-binary that inspired the phonetic spelling.
- Non-binary: The formal umbrella term for genders outside male and female.
- Enbies: The standard plural noun for multiple non-binary individuals.
- Genderqueer: A related term for identities outside traditional gender norms.
FAQ
What pronouns do enbies use?
Enbies use many different pronouns, most often they/them, but some use he/him, she/her, or neopronouns. You cannot determine a person’s pronouns from the word enby alone, so it is best to ask.
Is enby considered transgender?
Yes, being an enby falls under the transgender umbrella because non-binary people do not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth. Many non-binary people embrace both labels, though some prefer non-binary on its own.
Can someone be both an enby and a boy or girl?
Yes, people who identify as demiboys, demigirls, or genderfluid can be enbies while still connecting with aspects of manhood or womanhood. Gender identity is multifaceted, and people often blend these descriptions.
Comments