Female — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈfē-ˌmāl/ fe·male

Meaning & Definition of Female

Female (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to bear young or produce eggs
  2. having or producing only pistils or pistillate flowers
  3. having a gender identity that is the opposite of male

Female (noun)

  1. a female person, a woman or a girl
  2. an individual of the sex that is typically capable of bearing young or producing eggs
  3. a pistillate plant

Female (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of, relating to, or marked by qualities traditionally associated with women

    "the composer's new music calls for female voices"

    similar: feminine, womanish, womanlike, womanly
    related: girlie, girlish, effeminate, effete, epicene, sissified, sissy, unmanly, ladylike, distaff, petticoat, ultrafeminine
    opposite: unfeminine, unwomanly
    near: boyish, hoydenish, tomboyish, male, manlike, manly, mannish, masculine, virile, androgynous, neuter, Amazonian, butch, hairy-chested, hypermasculine, macho

Female (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an adult female human being

    "researchers are looking for females aged 50 to 70 to take part in the study"

    similar: lady, woman
    related: dame, gentlewoman, madam, madame, senora, babe (slang), beauty, belle, damsel, doll, gal, girl, ingenue, lass, lassie, mademoiselle, maid, maiden, miss, senorita

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Female

The most common words with a similar meaning to Female:

feminine, womanish, womanlike, womanly, lady, woman

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Female

Words with the opposite meaning of Female:

unfeminine, unwomanly

Related Words for Female

girlie, girlish, effeminate, effete, epicene, sissified, sissy, unmanly, ladylike, distaff, petticoat, ultrafeminine, dame, gentlewoman, madam, madame, senora, babe, beauty, belle, damsel, doll, gal, girl, ingenue, lass, lassie, mademoiselle, maid, maiden

Near Antonyms of Female

boyish, hoydenish, tomboyish, male, manlike, manly, mannish, masculine, virile, androgynous, neuter, Amazonian, butch, hairy-chested, hypermasculine, macho

Word Forms of Female

Derived words: femaleness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Female

Middle English, alteration of femel, femelle, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French femele, from Medieval Latin femella, from Latin, girl, diminutive of femina

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Female

Words & Phrases Containing Female

female genital mutilation, anti-female

Frequently Asked Questions about Female

What does "Female" mean?

"Female" means of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to bear young or produce eggs. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to bear young or produce eggs. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Female"?

Other words for "Female" include feminine, womanish, womanlike, womanly, lady and woman. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Female" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Female"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Female". Common alternatives include feminine, womanish, womanlike, womanly, lady and woman.

What is the opposite of "Female"?

Antonyms of "Female" include unfeminine and unwomanly. Near antonyms include boyish, hoydenish, tomboyish and male.

How do you use "Female" in a sentence?

Examples of "Female" in a sentence: "the composer's new music calls for female voices"; "researchers are looking for females aged 50 to 70 to take part in the study".

Is "Female" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Female" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Female" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Female" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Female"?

"Female" is pronounced /ˈfē-ˌmāl/ and divided into syllables as fe·male.