English Reference

Word

feminist

Phoneticsfem·i·nist, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈfɛmənɪst/

UK/fˈɛmɪnˌɪst/

Definitions

01supporter of equality

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. someone who believes that women should have the same rights, power, and opportunities as men.

n. an advocate for the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.

“She has been a proud feminist since her university days, fighting for equal pay.”

“The author identifies as a feminist, arguing that true social progress is impossible without dismantling systemic gender biases.”

Synonyms

equalistwomen's rights advocate

Antonyms

misogynistsexist

02relating to feminism

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. describing an idea, book, or action that supports the goal of equal rights for women.

adj. relating to or supporting the principles of feminism.

“The movie was praised for its strong feminist message and realistic female characters.”

“The professor provided a feminist critique of the nineteenth-century novel, highlighting the restricted agency of its female protagonist.”

Synonyms

pro-woman

Antonyms

anti-feminist

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “feminist” in context.

Verb

01. identify as a feminist

“Many young men now proudly identify as feminists and support the movement for gender equality.”

verb + prep + adj + noun

Adjective

02. avowed feminist

“Even as an avowed feminist, he admitted that there was still much to learn about unconscious bias.”

adj + noun

03. intersectional feminist

“The conference invited an intersectional feminist to discuss how race and class overlap with gender issues.”

adj + noun

04. staunch feminist

“As a staunch feminist, she has spent her entire career advocating for equal pay in the tech industry.”

adj + noun

Noun

05. feminist critique

“The professor provided a compelling feminist critique of nineteenth-century literature.”

noun + noun

06. feminist perspective

“We need to examine these historical events from a feminist perspective to understand the role of women at the time.”

noun + noun

07. generation of feminists

“A new generation of feminists is using social media to organize global protest movements.”

noun + of + noun

Real-World Examples

“Early feminists like Mary Astell and Catharine Macaulay refused their male peers’ advice to remain polite in debate.”
Aeon 18 Aug 2026
“She also saw some feminists who had supported the charity switch their energies to focus solely on British women, who they insisted needed protecting from migrants.”
The Guardian 25 Aug 2026

Etymology

First recorded in English 1852. Ultimately from Latin fēminīnus, from fēmina (“woman”). See also feminine, feminism.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

feminist(C1)

This entry

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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
Frequency
Common
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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