man-eater
C1Informal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
An animal, especially a large carnivorous one like a tiger or shark, that has killed and eaten humans.
A person, typically a woman, who is perceived as ruthlessly seductive or destructive to men in romantic or financial contexts (slang).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The literal meaning is specific and dramatic. The metaphorical slang usage is highly informal, often pejorative, and carries strong gender-based stereotypes. The hyphen is standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are understood and used in both varieties. The metaphorical sense may be slightly more prevalent in American pop-cultural contexts (e.g., films, gossip magazines).
Connotations
Literal: universally menacing. Metaphorical: In both varieties, it implies danger, manipulation, and a predatory nature, but can sometimes be used with a degree of dark humour or admiration for power.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but the literal sense might appear more in British English in historical or colonial adventure contexts. The metaphorical sense is common in tabloid journalism globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + man-eaterman-eater + [of + geographical area]be/become known as a man-eaterVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idiom, but often used in phrases like 'She's a real man-eater' as a standalone metaphor]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically and pejoratively for a ruthless (female) corporate raider.
Academic
Used in zoology, ecology, history (e.g., 'The man-eater of Tsavo'), anthropology.
Everyday
Mostly metaphorical in gossip or hyperbolic description. Literal use in news/documentaries.
Technical
Specific term in wildlife management and conservation biology for individual animals with human predation records.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tigress began to man-eat after being wounded by a poacher.
American English
- The shark was rumored to have man-eaten several surfers.
adjective
British English
- The village lived under the shadow of a man-eating tiger.
American English
- They studied the behavior of man-eating lions in the Serengeti.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The tiger is a dangerous animal. It is a man-eater.
- In the film, the hunters tried to catch the famous man-eater of the jungle.
- After three fatal attacks, the local authorities declared the crocodile a confirmed man-eater and ordered its capture.
- The tabloids portrayed her as a heartless man-eater who left a trail of bankrupt ex-lovers, but the reality was far more nuanced.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAN-EATER = EATS MEN. Think of a tiger (MAN) with a fork and knife (EATER).
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS / DANGER IS A PREDATOR / ROMANTIC ATTRACTION IS A HUNT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'человекоед'. The literal sense is 'людоед' (animal) or 'каннибал' (human). The metaphorical sense lacks a direct equivalent; 'роковая женщина' captures some of the allure but not the predatory destructiveness.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling as one word 'maneater' (hyphen is standard).
- Using it for a male person in the metaphorical sense (highly atypical).
- Confusing with 'man-eater' as a type of plant (correct term is 'carnivorous plant').
Practice
Quiz
In informal slang, calling a woman a 'man-eater' primarily suggests she is:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while the primary meaning refers to animals that kill humans for food, it has a strong secondary, informal meaning describing a woman who seduces and exploits men.
The literal use is descriptive and not offensive. The metaphorical use is highly informal, often pejorative, and reinforces negative gender stereotypes, so it should be used with caution.
It is occasionally used for a human cannibal, but 'cannibal' is the more precise and common term. 'Man-eater' typically implies an animal.
The standard and dictionary-preferred spelling is with a hyphen: 'man-eater'.
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