Word
female
Phoneticsfe·male, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfiˌmeɪɫ/
UK/fˈiːmeɪl/
Definitions
01a person or animal
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a person or animal of the sex that can produce eggs or give birth.
n. an individual of the sex that is distinguished by the production of ova or the bearing of young.
日本語:女性※
“The female of this bird species has brown feathers to hide in the grass.”
“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.
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.
Antonyms
02biological sex
A2 · Elementary
adj. belonging to the sex that produces eggs or gives birth.
adj. pertaining to the sex that produces gametes in the form of eggs.
日本語:めす※
“The hospital has a separate ward for female patients.”
“The study focused on the long-term health outcomes of female athletes participating in high-impact sports.”
Teaching tip
Distinguish from 'feminine', which refers to cultural qualities or appearance rather than biological sex.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03botany
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describing a plant or flower that produces seeds or fruit.
adj. denoting a plant or flower that possesses ovules but lacks functional stamens.
日本語:めす※
“Only the female holly trees produce the bright red berries in winter.”
“In dioecious species, the female plants must be situated near a pollen source to ensure successful fruit production.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04connectors/tools
B2 · Upper Intermediate Technology
adj. describing a part of a tool or wire that has a hole for another part to fit into.
adj. having a hollow or recessed part into which a corresponding male part is inserted.
“You need a female connector to plug this cable into the wall.”
“The technician replaced the damaged female port on the back of the amplifier to restore the audio signal.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “female” in context.
Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/female
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0