superwoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Journalistic, Sometimes Ironic
Quick answer
What does “superwoman” mean?
A woman who excels in multiple demanding roles, especially by successfully managing a career, household, and family simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who excels in multiple demanding roles, especially by successfully managing a career, household, and family simultaneously.
1. A woman with exceptional ability, strength, or courage. 2. (Informal) Used to refer to a woman who is perceived as trying to do too much. 3. (Fiction) A female superhero with superhuman powers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Both variants use the term in the same socio-cultural contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is culturally loaded, associated with feminist discourse and debates about work-life balance. The ironic/sarcastic use is common.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with a peak in usage during the late 20th century.
Grammar
How to Use “superwoman” in a Sentence
superwoman + verb (e.g., superwoman manages, juggles)adjective + superwoman (e.g., modern superwoman)superwoman + of + noun phrase (e.g., superwoman of the corporate world)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “superwoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She tried to superwoman her way through the crisis, but it was too much.
- You can't just superwoman this project; you need a team.
American English
- She's superwomanning three jobs right now.
- Stop trying to superwoman everything and ask for help.
adjective
British English
- She had a superwoman-like ability to cope.
- I'm tired of this superwoman expectation.
American English
- She's dealing with superwoman levels of stress.
- The superwoman ideal is outdated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically in HR/training to discuss burnout and unrealistic expectations of female employees.
Academic
Appears in sociology, gender studies, and media studies discussing gender roles and stereotypes.
Everyday
Common in conversation, often self-deprecating ('I'm no superwoman!') or describing others ('She's a real superwoman').
Technical
Not used in technical fields. The fictional sense may appear in comics/gaming discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “superwoman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “superwoman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “superwoman”
- Using it as a formal compliment (can sound patronising). *Incorrect:* 'You're such a superwoman for finishing the report!' (Better: 'You did an amazing job on the report.'). Treating it as a standard job title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal, journalistic, or used in academic discourse about social roles. It is not suitable for formal descriptions or official documents.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'to superwoman through something'), meaning to handle a difficult situation with exceptional, solo effort. This is a recent, colloquial derivation.
'Superwoman' is a general cultural term for an exceptionally capable woman. 'Wonder Woman' (capitalised) is a specific DC Comics superhero. They are not interchangeable.
It can be, depending on context. It may be taken as a genuine compliment on someone's resilience. However, it can also be seen as reinforcing exhausting, unrealistic standards, or as patronising. Caution is advised.
A woman who excels in multiple demanding roles, especially by successfully managing a career, household, and family simultaneously.
Superwoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpərˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the superwoman complex”
- “trying to be all things to all people”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUPER (like Superman) + WOMAN. Imagine a woman wearing a business suit *over* a cape.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MODERN WOMAN IS A SUPERHERO (who must possess extraordinary powers to meet societal demands).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'superwoman' LEAST likely to be used sincerely?