stateswoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “stateswoman” mean?
A woman who is a skilled, respected, and experienced political leader, especially one involved in national or international affairs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who is a skilled, respected, and experienced political leader, especially one involved in national or international affairs.
The term can also refer to a senior female diplomat or a woman who exhibits great wisdom, foresight, and leadership in managing public affairs, often with a non-partisan or widely respected approach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in meaning and formality. The term is somewhat more prevalent in UK political discourse, where the titles 'Statesman' and 'Stateswoman' are used more formally. In the US, the gender-neutral 'statesperson' is gaining some traction.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is highly respectful and denotes exceptional leadership. It may carry a slightly more traditional or establishment connotation in the UK, while in the US it can sometimes be used to highlight a woman's achievement in a historically male-dominated field.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language, reserved for formal political commentary, history, and biographies.
Grammar
How to Use “stateswoman” in a Sentence
[stateswoman] of [country/institution][stateswoman] like [name]a [adjective] stateswomanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stateswoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She stateswomanned the negotiations with remarkable tact. (Very rare, non-standard)
American English
- He argued she had effectively stateswomanned the crisis. (Very rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- She acted stateswomanlike throughout the ordeal. (Rare)
American English
- She comported herself stateswomanly. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- She took a stateswomanlike approach to the constitutional crisis.
American English
- Her stateswomanly demeanor earned bipartisan praise.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in high-level geopolitical risk analysis (e.g., 'The meeting brought together leading stateswomen and CEOs').
Academic
Used in political science, history, gender studies, and international relations texts.
Everyday
Very rare. Typically found in quality journalism, documentaries, and formal speeches.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stateswoman”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stateswoman”
- Using 'stateswoman' for any female politician, regardless of stature or approach. Confusing it with 'congresswoman' or 'MP' (which are specific offices). Using a plural 'stateswomen' incorrectly as an adjective (e.g., 'a stateswomen conference' should be 'a stateswoman's conference' or 'a conference of stateswomen').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used for both, but often implies a level of veteran status or enduring influence. It's commonly used for former leaders acting as senior advisors or global figures.
A 'politician' is neutral, focusing on the activity. A 'stateswoman' is an honorific implying high achievement, wisdom, and a focus on statesmanship over partisanship.
In modern, gender-conscious contexts, 'statesperson' is increasingly preferred as a gender-neutral term. 'Stateswoman' is correct when specifically denoting gender.
Yes, like 'statesman', it can be used ironically to describe someone acting with exaggerated self-importance or failing to live up to the ideal (e.g., 'She played the stateswoman, but her motives were purely partisan').
A woman who is a skilled, respected, and experienced political leader, especially one involved in national or international affairs.
Stateswoman is usually formal in register.
Stateswoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪtsˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪtsˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “an elder stateswoman”
- “a wise old stateswoman”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a woman who *states* the course for her nation, a female captain of the ship of *state*.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STATESWOMAN IS A SKILLED NAVIGATOR (of the ship of state/national interests). A STATESWOMAN IS A WISE ELDER (providing guidance and stability).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core connotation of 'stateswoman'?