womanize
LowInformal
Definition
Meaning
To engage in casual or frequent sexual relationships with many women.
To spend a lot of time in pursuit of or in the company of women, often to the neglect of other responsibilities; can sometimes imply trying to make oneself more attractive or agreeable to women.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a strongly negative, pejorative connotation. It suggests promiscuity, irresponsibility, and a trivialization of relationships. The verb 'womanise' (British spelling) is derived from the noun 'womanizer' (US) / 'womaniser' (UK). It is almost exclusively used about men.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The main difference is in spelling: British English prefers 'womanise', American English uses 'womanize'. Both are pronounced the same.
Connotations
Identically negative in both variants, implying hedonism and lack of commitment.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, but overall a low-frequency word in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: male person] + womanize[Subject: male person] + womanize + [Prepositional Phrase: among/with women]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a bit of a womanizer.”
- “He's been womanizing for years.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Highly unlikely, would be considered extremely unprofessional and sexist.
Academic
Rare, might appear in sociological or gender studies contexts discussing male behaviour.
Everyday
Informal, used in gossip or critical descriptions of a person's lifestyle.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- After his divorce, he began to womanise shamelessly around London.
- He was warned that he couldn't womanise and expect to keep his job.
American English
- He spent his college years trying to womanize every weekend.
- The tabloids accused the actor of using his fame to womanize.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a nice man, but they say he likes to womanize.
- Her brother travels a lot and has started to womanize.
- After his promotion, he began to womanize, neglecting his family.
- The character in the film is a classic womanizer who never commits.
- His propensity to womanize ultimately cost him his marriage and his political career.
- The biography painted him not as a romantic but as a compulsive womanizer, using his wealth as leverage.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WOMAN-ize' – to try to turn everything into a relationship with a woman, or to make your life all about women.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMEN ARE A PURSUIT/HOBBY (He *pursues* women, he's always *on the hunt*).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'to become a woman' (стать женщиной). It is not related to gender transition. The closest Russian concept is 'волочиться', 'ухаживать за многими женщинами', 'бабник' (for the noun).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'to make more feminine' (incorrect). Using it for a woman's behaviour (incorrect; the female equivalent is 'man-eater' or similar, but not 'manize').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'to womanize'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb is specific to male behaviour. A similar concept for women might be described with terms like 'philanderess' (very rare) or colloquially 'man-eater'.
The noun is 'womanizer' (US) / 'womaniser' (UK). It means a man who habitually seeks out casual relationships with women.
No, it is informal and carries a negative judgement. More formal or clinical alternatives might be 'philander' or 'be promiscuous'.
Yes. 'Flirt' is lighter, often playful and not necessarily leading to relationships. 'Womanize' implies a persistent pattern of seeking sexual conquests and is much more serious and negative.