tribeswoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Anthropological, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “tribeswoman” mean?
A female member of a tribe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female member of a tribe.
A woman belonging to a specific social group sharing common descent, culture, and leadership, often in a traditional or indigenous context. It can also be used metaphorically to denote a woman strongly identified with a particular group or set of principles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Both varieties use the term primarily in anthropological, historical, or journalistic contexts.
Connotations
In both, it typically carries connotations of tradition, community, and indigenous identity. In metaphorical use (e.g., 'corporate tribeswoman'), it can imply strong in-group loyalty.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general use. Slightly more likely to appear in American English media due to higher domestic discourse on Native American tribes.
Grammar
How to Use “tribeswoman” in a Sentence
[tribeswoman] + from + [location/tribe name][Adjective] + tribeswoman + [verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tribeswoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A as a verb.
American English
- N/A as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A as an adverb.
American English
- N/A as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A as an adjective.
American English
- N/A as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in metaphorical use: 'She was a true tribeswoman of the old corporate culture.'
Academic
Common in anthropology, history, and cultural studies texts to specify gender within tribal societies.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only be used in specific discussions about indigenous cultures or history.
Technical
Standard term in ethnography and anthropology for a female member of a tribe.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tribeswoman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tribeswoman”
- Incorrect plural: 'tribeswomans' (correct: 'tribeswomen').
- Using it anachronistically or insensitively for modern indigenous people without context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in specific contexts like anthropology, history, and journalism.
The plural is 'tribeswomen'.
Yes, it can be used to describe a woman who is deeply loyal to and identified with a particular group, e.g., 'a tribeswoman of the tech startup scene'.
No. The term is specific to the social structure of a 'tribe'. Its use should be accurate and respectful, often preferred in historical or anthropological description rather than as a general modern label unless the community self-identifies with it.
A female member of a tribe.
Tribeswoman is usually formal, academic, anthropological, journalistic in register.
Tribeswoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪbzˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪbzˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A tribeswoman at heart (metaphorical: deeply loyal to a group)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'tribe'. Now add 's' for possession and 'woman'. A 'tribe's woman' = a woman belonging to a tribe.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRIBE IS A FAMILY (hence 'kinswoman'), SOCIAL GROUP IS A TRIBE (metaphorical extension to companies, teams).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the word 'tribeswoman'?