What does "female" mean?

1. (a person or animal) a person or animal of the sex that can produce eggs or give birth. 2. (biological sex) belonging to the sex that produces eggs or gives birth. 3. (botany) describing a plant or flower that produces seeds or fruit. 4. (connectors/tools) describing a part of a tool or wire that has a hole for another part to fit into.

How do you use "female"?

Often used as a noun in biological or medical contexts, but can be seen as dehumanising when applied to people in casual speech.

Is it correct to say "I saw a female walking down the street."?

No — say "I saw a woman walking down the street.". Using 'female' as a noun for a person can sound clinical or disrespectful; use 'woman' or 'girl' instead unless you are writing a scientific or police report.

female

n. · adj.

US //ˈfiˌmeɪɫ// UK //fˈiːmeɪl// fe·male

1 a person or animal (n.)
A2 Elementary

a person or animal of the sex that can produce eggs or give birth.

an individual of the sex that is distinguished by the production of ova or the bearing of young.

Example

The female of this bird species has brown feathers to hide in the grass.

Example

Researchers observed that the female remained with the hatchlings while the male foraged for food in the nearby wetlands.

Usage

Often used as a noun in biological or medical contexts, but can be seen as dehumanising when applied to people in casual speech.
- woman
- girl
- doe
- hen
- male
Pitfall

I saw a female walking down the street.

I saw a woman walking down the street.

Using 'female' as a noun for a person can sound clinical or disrespectful; use 'woman' or 'girl' instead unless you are writing a scientific or police report.
2 biological sex (adj.)
A2 Elementary

belonging to the sex that produces eggs or gives birth.

pertaining to the sex that produces gametes in the form of eggs.

Example

The hospital has a separate ward for female patients.

Example

The study focused on the long-term health outcomes of female athletes participating in high-impact sports.

Teacher's tip

Distinguish from 'feminine', which refers to cultural qualities or appearance rather than biological sex.
- feminine
- male

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 botany (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

describing a plant or flower that produces seeds or fruit.

denoting a plant or flower that possesses ovules but lacks functional stamens.

Example

Only the female holly trees produce the bright red berries in winter.

Example

In dioecious species, the female plants must be situated near a pollen source to ensure successful fruit production.
- pistillate
- male
- staminate
4 connectors/tools (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

describing a part of a tool or wire that has a hole for another part to fit into.

having a hollow or recessed part into which a corresponding male part is inserted.

Example

You need a female connector to plug this cable into the wall.

Example

The technician replaced the damaged female port on the back of the amplifier to restore the audio signal.
- socket
- receptacle
- male

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *fēmanā Latin fēmina Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lus Latin fēmella Old French femelebor. Middle English femele Middle English female English female From Middle English female, an alteration of Middle English femele, from Old French femele, femelle (“female”), from Medieval Latin fēmella (“a female”), from Latin fēmella (“a girl, a young female, a young woman”), diminutive of fēmina (“a woman”). The English spelling and pronunciation were remodelled under the influence of male, which is otherwise not etymologically related. Contrast woman, which is etymologically built on man (as in, “person”).