bechdel test: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumInformal to semi-formal, primarily used in media criticism, feminist discourse, and cultural analysis.
Quick answer
What does “bechdel test” mean?
A simple measure of gender representation in fiction, requiring that a work features at least two named women who talk to each other about something other than a man.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A simple measure of gender representation in fiction, requiring that a work features at least two named women who talk to each other about something other than a man.
A cultural benchmark used to highlight gender bias in media, often applied to films, TV shows, books, and other narratives to assess whether female characters exist independently of male characters and have meaningful interactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The concept and term are used identically.
Connotations
Same connotations in both varieties: associated with feminist media criticism, pop culture analysis, and discussions of representation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media discourse due to its origin in an American comic strip, but widely understood and used in UK media circles.
Grammar
How to Use “bechdel test” in a Sentence
[Film/Show/Book] + passes/fails + the Bechdel testLet's + apply + the Bechdel test + to [work]According to + the Bechdel test, + [statement]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bechdel test” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The film doesn't bechdel test well, according to critics.
- We should bechdel test this screenplay.
American English
- The show bechdel-tests positively in its later seasons.
- They bechdel-tested all the nominees.
adverb
British English
- The film performed Bechdel-test poorly.
- The series was evaluated Bechdel-test strictly.
American English
- The movie scored Bechdel-test highly.
- They assessed it Bechdel-test carefully.
adjective
British English
- It's a Bechdel-test failure.
- We need more Bechdel-test compliant films.
American English
- The Bechdel-test results were disappointing.
- She wrote a Bechdel-test analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of diversity in corporate storytelling or advertising.
Academic
Used in film studies, gender studies, media studies, and cultural criticism papers.
Everyday
Used in casual conversations about movies, TV shows, and books, especially among those interested in media representation.
Technical
Used as a specific term in media analysis and feminist critique; not a technical term in hard sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bechdel test”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bechdel test”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bechdel test”
- Misspelling as 'Bechdel Test' (should be capitalized as a proper noun), using it as a verb ('to Bechdel test' is non-standard), confusing it with other representation tests (e.g., the Mako Mori test).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was popularized by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in her 1985 comic strip 'Dykes to Watch Out For,' though the idea originated from her friend Liz Wallace.
No. Passing is a very low bar and only indicates minimal representation. A work can pass and still have poorly developed female characters.
Yes. While most commonly used for films and TV, the test's criteria can be applied to any narrative fiction, including novels, plays, and video games.
Yes. Many analogous tests exist, such as the Mako Mori test (for a female character with a narrative arc not about a man), the Vito Russo test (for LGBTQ+ representation), and the DuVernay test (for racial representation).
A simple measure of gender representation in fiction, requiring that a work features at least two named women who talk to each other about something other than a man.
Bechdel test is usually informal to semi-formal, primarily used in media criticism, feminist discourse, and cultural analysis. in register.
Bechdel test: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛkdəl ˌtɛst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛkdəl ˌtɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pass the Bechdel bar”
- “Bechdel-approved”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bechdel' sounds like 'beckon' – it beckons us to check if two women talk about more than men.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LITMUS TEST for gender bias; a BAROMETER of female representation.
Practice
Quiz
What is the minimum requirement for a work to pass the Bechdel test?