woman
A1Formal, Informal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
An adult human female.
A female human in general, often connoting adulthood, distinct identity, or qualities stereotypically associated with the female gender. Can also be used in collective or representative senses.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The singular form ('woman') denotes one individual. The plural form ('women') is irregular. The term can be neutral, respectful, or, in certain contexts, carry sexist connotations depending on usage and modifier.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or singular/plural forms. Minor differences in pronunciation and occasional phrasing.
Connotations
Similar across both varieties. In both, the term has evolved from a more general term for females to one more strongly associated with adulthood and identity.
Frequency
Extremely high-frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] womanwoman [PREP PHRASE] (e.g., woman of substance)woman [REL CLAUSE] (e.g., woman who...)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “woman of the world”
- “woman to woman”
- “a man/woman of his/her word”
- “make an honest woman of someone (dated/humorous)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Often used in titles (e.g., 'businesswoman', 'saleswoman'), though 'female [role]' or simply the role name is increasingly common.
Academic
Used in sociological, gender studies, historical, and medical contexts (e.g., 'women in leadership', 'healthcare for women').
Everyday
The most common, neutral term for an adult female human.
Technical
In legal, medical, and demographic contexts to specify sex or gender.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was womanned the ticket counter during the event.
- (Archaic/poetic) To make effeminate.
American English
- The station is womanned 24 hours a day.
- (Rare) To provide with women.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- She gave a woman perspective on the issue.
- (Often in compounds) 'woman-friendly' policies.
American English
- A woman doctor treated me.
- (Often in compounds) 'woman-centric' narratives.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- That woman is my teacher.
- She is a kind woman.
- I saw three women in the shop.
- A young woman asked me for directions to the station.
- The conference aimed to empower women in technology.
- He was interviewed by a woman journalist from the BBC.
- She has grown from a girl into a confident, capable woman.
- The novel explores what it means to be a woman in the 21st century.
- Historically, the role of woman as both caregiver and professional has been complex.
- She was every inch a woman of principle, refusing to compromise her ethics.
- The legislation was criticised for failing to address the specific needs of pregnant women in the workforce.
- Her portrayal of a woman grappling with loss was nuanced and profoundly moving.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'WoMAN' contains 'man', but the 'wo' comes from 'wife' (Old English 'wīfman' = wife-person). Think: 'A wo-man is not a man.'
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN AS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'She was with child' / 'She was a woman of great wisdom'). WOMAN AS A FORCE OF NATURE (e.g., 'She was a force to be reckoned with').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'жена' (wife). 'Woman' is 'женщина'.
- Plural 'women' (/ˈwɪmɪn/) is irregular and sounds completely different from 'woman' – a common pronunciation error.
- Avoid using 'female' as a noun in polite neutral contexts; 'woman' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing plural 'women' as /ˈwʊmən/ (like singular).
- Using 'womans' as plural.
- Overusing 'lady' in neutral contexts where 'woman' is more appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'women' for singular.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'women' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Female' is an adjective (a female scientist) or a biological category term. Using 'female' as a noun ('a female') can sound clinical or dehumanizing. 'Woman' is the standard, respectful noun for an adult human female.
The plural is 'women', pronounced /ˈwɪmɪn/. It is an irregular plural form.
It can be, but context matters. 'Lady' is often more formal or emphasizes refinement. In neutral contexts (e.g., 'the woman at the desk'), using 'woman' is perfectly polite and often preferred to avoid perceived class connotations of 'lady'.
It comes from Old English 'wīfman' (wife-person) and 'wīfmenn' (wife-people). Over centuries, the pronunciation and spelling changed irregularly ('f' disappeared, vowel shifted), resulting in the modern forms.
Collections
Part of a collection
Family Members
A1 · 44 words · Words for family, people and relationships at home.