national organization for women
LowFormal
Definition
Meaning
A proper noun referring to a specific major American feminist organization founded in 1966, often abbreviated as NOW.
Used as a synecdoche for mainstream, institutionalized feminism in the United States. May sometimes be used generically to refer to any major, formal advocacy group for women's rights, though this is less common and context-dependent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a proper noun, the official name of an entity. It is typically capitalised in writing. While 'national', 'organization', and 'women' are common words, their combination as a title creates a unique referent. It implies a structured, legally recognized entity with chapters and a national agenda.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the referent is a specifically American entity. A UK speaker might use it to discuss US feminism or contrast it with British groups like the Fawcett Society. In the US, it is a domestic institution. The spelling 'organisation' would be used in UK contexts when not quoting the proper name.
Connotations
In the US: historic, mainstream, liberal feminism, sometimes perceived as establishment. In the UK: often signifies a particular strand of American activism, possibly viewed as emblematic of US-style identity politics.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English due to being a domestic institution. UK frequency is limited to discussions of American politics, history, or comparative social movements.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/This] National Organization for Women + [verb: advocates for, fights for, was founded, issued a statement][Subject] + [verb: joined, supports, criticized] + the National Organization for WomenVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The name itself is not idiomatic.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reports or contexts discussing corporate partnerships with advocacy groups.
Academic
Common in political science, gender studies, history, and sociology texts discussing second-wave feminism and women's rights movements in the US.
Everyday
Appears in news media, political discussions, and historical documentaries. Not typically used in casual conversation unless the topic arises.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (e.g., amicus briefs), political advocacy, and historical documentation as a specific entity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The group aims to *National Organization for Women-ise* the movement's structure. (Highly marked, theoretical)
American English
- The activists sought to *NOW-ify* their local campaign. (Colloquial, rare)
adverb
British English
- They campaigned *National Organization for Women-ly*, with a focus on national policy.
American English
- The rally was organised *NOW-style*, with clear policy demands. (Informal)
adjective
British English
- She held a *National Organization for Women-aligned* position.
American English
- It was a *NOW-style* protest, focused on legislative change.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The National Organization for Women is in America.
- The National Organization for Women, or NOW, is an important group for women's rights.
- Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women played a key role in campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment.
- While the National Organization for Women's mainstream approach has been credited with significant legislative wins, it has also been critiqued by intersectional feminists for historically centering the concerns of white, middle-class women.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: **N**ationwide **O**fficial **W**omen's group. The acronym NOW also suggests immediacy, linking to its founding during a time of urgent activism.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION AS A MACHINE ("The National Organization for Women mobilized its chapters"), ORGANIZATION AS A PERSON ("NOW advocates for...", "NOW believes that...").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating it as 'Национальная организация женщин' without context, as it could be misinterpreted as a generic or even a state-controlled entity. Better to use the original name or transliterate: 'Нэшнл Организейшн фор Вумен' with explanation, or 'NOW (Национальная организация женщин в США)'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'national organization for Women').
- Using 'of' instead of 'for' (National Organization of Women).
- Treating it as a common noun and pluralising it (e.g., 'There are many National Organizations for Women').
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the National Organization for Women (NOW) primarily active?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a specific organization within the broader feminist movement. Feminism is the ideology or movement; NOW is one institutional embodiment of it in the US.
Yes, but it is standard to write out the full name 'National Organization for Women' on first use, followed by the abbreviation 'NOW' in parentheses. Thereafter, 'NOW' can be used alone.
Its core mission is to take action to bring about equality for all women. This has historically included advocacy for legal equality, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice.
There is no direct equivalent, as the historical and political contexts differ. However, groups like the Fawcett Society (focused on gender equality and pay gaps) or Women's Aid (focused on domestic violence) fulfil similar advocacy roles in the UK landscape.