female
female Lexical Profile
female Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs, distinguished biologically by the production of gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes.
"The female lion does the majority of the hunting for the pride."
Relating to, characteristic of, or composed of women or girls.
"The university reported a record number of female students enrolling in engineering programs this year."
Of a plant or flower: having a pistil or carpel capable of being fertilized and bearing fruit, and lacking functional stamens.
"Only the female holly plants produce the bright red berries seen in winter."
Of a mechanical or electrical part, such as a socket or connector: manufactured with a hollow or recess into which a corresponding projecting (male) part fits.
"Insert the audio cable plug firmly into the female jack on the back of the amplifier."
• noun
A female animal or plant.
"Among many species of birds of prey, the female is noticeably larger than the male."
A female person; a woman or girl.
"The clinical study tracked cardiovascular health outcomes in males and females over a ten-year period."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to humans outside of scientific, medical, or statistical contexts, 'female' is generally preferred as an adjective (e.g., 'a female doctor') rather than a standalone noun, as using 'females' to refer to women or girls can sound overly clinical or impersonal.
• Rhymes for female
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English femele, borrowed from Old French femelle, from Latin femella ('young woman, girl'), a diminutive of femina ('woman'). Its modern spelling was altered in the late 14th century through folk etymology by association with 'male', although the two words are etymologically unrelated.