termagant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, archaic, pejorative
Quick answer
What does “termagant” mean?
A harsh-tempered, overbearing, quarrelsome woman.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A harsh-tempered, overbearing, quarrelsome woman; a shrew.
Historically, a violent, turbulent, or brawling person of either gender, though now almost exclusively applied to women. The term carries strong connotations of nagging, scolding, and domineering behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally archaic and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally pejorative and dated in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech and writing in both the UK and US, slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “termagant” in a Sentence
be labelled a termagantportray as a termagantrepute of being a termagantVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “termagant” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He fled the termagant tongue of his landlady.
- The play featured a classic termagant wife character.
American English
- She was portrayed with termagant fury in the biography.
- His termagant neighbour made everyone's life miserable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, only in historical or literary analysis discussing character archetypes or misogynistic tropes.
Everyday
Extremely rare and likely to be misunderstood; considered offensive.
Technical
Not used in any technical field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “termagant”
- Using it to describe a man (historically possible but now obsolete).
- Using it in modern, casual contexts.
- Misspelling as "tarmagant" or "termagent".
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, it could refer to a violent, turbulent person of any gender. However, for several centuries, its use has been almost exclusively applied to women, and it is now a strongly gendered, archaic term for a quarrelsome woman.
No, it is very rare in modern English. It is considered archaic and literary. You are most likely to encounter it in historical texts, classic literature, or academic writing.
It originates from Middle English, via Old French 'Tervagant', the name of a fictitious Muslim deity portrayed in medieval mystery plays as a violent, overbearing character. The name was later applied to people, especially women, with similar traits.
Yes, it is a pejorative term. It is a harsh, insulting label for a woman, implying she is aggressively ill-tempered, domineering, and scolding. Its use today would be considered offensive and deliberately archaic.
A harsh-tempered, overbearing, quarrelsome woman.
Termagant is usually literary, archaic, pejorative in register.
Termagant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɜː.mə.ɡənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɝː.mə.ɡənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "TERMite AGitated ANT" – a tiny, persistently irritating creature that causes a lot of noisy trouble.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WOMAN IS A BATTLE (source of conflict, aggression, noise). A WOMAN IS A SHARP OBJECT (cutting with words).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'termagant' be LEAST appropriate today?