ENGLISH
REFERENCE

women

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈwɪmən// UK //wˈɪmɪn// wom·en

n. adult female human beings. You use this word when talking about more than one woman.

n. adult female humans. The plural form of woman.


SIMPLE

Many women work in this office.

CONTEXTUAL

The tournament organizers are working hard to increase the number of women participating in professional cycling events.

COMPLEX

Sociologists often study the different ways women and men navigate professional hierarchies in corporate environments to identify systemic barriers to promotion.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English wimmen, from Old English wīfmenn (“women”), from wīf (“female”) + menn (“men, persons, human beings”), equivalent to wife + men. Spelling (with o) influenced by the singular; see woman for more.

Usage

The plural form of 'woman'; it is an irregular plural that does not end in 's'.

Pitfall

three womansthree womenThe plural of woman is irregular; it changes the vowel sound and spelling rather than adding an 's'.

Idioms2 entries

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