A2adjective2K

Female

UK /["/ˈfiːmeɪl/"]/US /["/ˈfiːmeɪl/"]/

Definition

being a woman or a girl

In simple words: A woman or girl. Someone identified as a woman.

Examples

  • The female cat is always more playful than the male cat.
  • She is a female engineer who works in a male-dominated field.
  • They organized a seminar for female entrepreneurs to share their experiences.
  • The organization focuses on empowering female leaders in the community.

Usage notes

Use 'female' when talking about gender in scientific or formal contexts, but avoid in casual conversations. 'Woman' is often preferred in everyday speech.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'female' like 'feminine'—both start with 'fe' and relate to women.

Collocations

  • female athlete
  • female leader
  • female role model

Synonyms

  • woman
  • girl
  • lady
  • female person

Antonyms

  • male
  • man

Common mistakes

  • 'Female' is not used as a verb. Some might confuse it with 'feminine'.
  • Learners might use 'female' incorrectly for a group of women, e.g., saying 'the females' instead of 'the women'.