woman
woman — noun
1. A fully grown person who is female — someone who is no longer a girl.
A fully grown person who is female — someone who is no longer a girl.
A woman at the ticket counter helped us find our seats.
article + woman + location: 'the woman at [place]'
Élise is a young woman who works as a nurse at the local hospital.
adjective + woman: young woman, elderly woman
An elderly woman was walking her small dog in the park this morning.
The woman sitting next to Ari on the train offered him half her sandwich.
woman + present participle clause as modifier
A woman in a red coat got off the bus and waved at the children.
- young woman
- old woman
- married woman
- single woman
- pregnant woman
- man
adult male human being
Grammar Patterns
a/the/this/that + woman
adjective + woman
Usage Note
The plural form 'women' is irregular and does not follow standard English plural rules. This sense applies to any adult female person regardless of relationship status, background, or age beyond adulthood.
Common Mistakes
2. An adult who identifies as a woman and lives her life as female, regardless of t
An adult who identifies as a woman and lives her life as female, regardless of the sex marked on her original birth certificate.
Amani is a woman who transitioned in her twenties and now runs a support group.
trans woman — woman who transitioned
The clinic provides healthcare services for trans women in the local community.
compound: trans women
Lakshmi's doctor asked whether she identified as a woman on the intake form.
Women, both cisgender and transgender, often face similar challenges in the workplace.
- trans woman
- transgender woman
- cisgender woman
- trans woman
more specific term used when transgender identity is relevant to the discussion
- transgender woman
fuller form of 'trans woman'
Grammar Patterns
trans + woman
woman who + [transition/identify]
Usage Note
When the transgender status of an individual is not relevant to the context, simply referring to them as 'a woman' is correct and respectful. The term 'trans woman' is used when specifically discussing transgender identity or experience.
Common Mistakes
3. A man's wife, girlfriend, or regular female romantic partner.
A man's wife, girlfriend, or regular female romantic partner.
Christopher introduced his woman to the whole team at the company party.
possessive determiner + woman: 'his woman'
Eric has been with his woman for seven years and they plan to marry.
The old song tells the story of a sailor who misses his woman back home.
After the ceremony each warrior danced with his woman under the moonlight.
possessive + woman for romantic partner
- his woman
- your woman
- wife
specifically a legally married partner; more formal
- girlfriend
romantic partner without legal marriage; more common in modern usage
- partner
gender-neutral term for a long-term romantic relationship
Grammar Patterns
possessive + woman
Usage Note
This sense often appears with a possessive determiner ('his woman') and is more common in informal speech or storytelling. In many modern contexts, 'partner', 'wife', 'girlfriend', or the person's name is preferred to avoid sounding dated or possessive.
Common Mistakes
4. The whole group of adult female people, thought of together as a single category
The whole group of adult female people, thought of together as a single category in society.
Women have fought for equal rights in many countries around the world.
bare plural for women as a category
Young women in Soraya's village now drive taxis, something their grandmothers never did.
concrete generational contrast showing changed roles
Women across the region came together to discuss education for their daughters.
Shanti was the first woman in her village to visit the new health clinic alone.
concrete rural healthcare access scene
- women's rights
- women's health
- women's movement
- the status of women
- men
adult male people as a group
Grammar Patterns
women + verb
the role/rights/status of women
Usage Note
This uncountable use of the plural 'women' takes no article and refers to the social category rather than specific individuals. Similar in function to 'mankind' but specifically female. Not used with numbers (not 'two women in general').
To make decisions and live your life independently, without letting others control you.
After years of following her parents' advice, Sara decided to be her own woman.
Brian quit the family business to be his own man and start a new career.
Used to say that a woman who has been rejected or betrayed can become extremely angry and vengeful.
When Maya discovered the betrayal, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
The saying goes that hell hath no fury, and Linda proved it after the breakup.
With great energy, speed, or determination, as if driven by a powerful force.
Diego scrubbed the kitchen floor like a man possessed.
She typed the report like a woman possessed, finishing in an hour.
To marry a woman, especially after having a sexual relationship with her or when she is pregnant, to avoid social disapproval.
After learning she was pregnant, Tom decided to make an honest woman of her.
In the old days, a man was expected to make an honest woman of his girlfriend.
A person who shares your interests, values, or tastes, making you feel a strong connection.
When I saw his book collection, I knew he was a man after my own heart.
Mia loves hiking and camping—she's a woman after my own heart.
An ordinary person, not an expert or someone with special knowledge, representing the general public.
The new tax policy confuses the man in the street.
What does the woman in the street think about climate change?
A person who has many different skills or talents.
Professor Chen is a woman of many parts: she teaches, paints, and plays piano.
My grandfather was a man of parts—a carpenter, a poet, and a cook.
A person, especially a leader, who understands and supports ordinary people and shares their concerns.
The mayor is a woman of the people, always listening to local complaints.
He was seen as a man of the people because he rode the bus to work.
A person who is wealthy and influential, often with a high social position.
The charity event was attended by many men and women of substance.
As a woman of substance, she donated millions to the hospital.
A person who has had a lot of life experiences and is sophisticated, not easily shocked or surprised.
Having traveled to fifty countries, Sara is a woman of the world.
My uncle is a man of the world; he can handle any social situation.
woman — suffix
1. Added to the end of other words to create nouns that refer to a woman with a par
Added to the end of other words to create nouns that refer to a woman with a particular job, role, or from a specific place.
The chairwoman called the meeting to order at nine o'clock sharp.
compound noun: chairwoman, policewoman, congresswoman
A policewoman arrived at the scene and asked everyone to stand back.
João's cousin was elected the first congresswoman from her district last year.
The businesswoman closed the deal and shook hands with her new partners.
businesswoman — occupation + woman compound
- -man
masculine counterpart suffix (e.g. chairman, policeman)
Grammar Patterns
[noun] + woman
Usage Note
Many job titles ending in '-woman' now have gender-neutral alternatives that are widely preferred, such as 'chairperson' instead of 'chairwoman', 'police officer' instead of 'policewoman', and 'businessperson' instead of 'businesswoman'. However, '-woman' compounds remain common and are not offensive when the gender of the person is relevant.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- womennounA1
- womanhoodnounC1
- womanlyadjectiveC1
- womankindnounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Woman is the neutral, everyday term for an adult female human being. Lady is more polite or formal, often used in phrases like 'ladies and gentlemen' or 'the lady at the front desk'. Female can be used as a noun but works better as an adjective ('female students'); as a noun it can sound clinical or dismissive in casual conversation. Girl refers to a female child or adolescent, and calling an adult woman 'girl' ('the girls at the office') is often seen as patronizing. In short: use 'woman' for adults, 'girl' for children and teenagers, 'lady' for polite or formal contexts, and keep 'female' as an adjective.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'woman' comes from Old English 'wīfmann', which was a compound of 'wīf' (meaning 'female') and 'mann' (meaning 'human being' or 'person' — not specifically male). Over centuries the pronunciation shifted from 'wīfmann' to 'wimman' and eventually to the modern 'woman'. The plural 'women' preserves a vowel change from the same historical process. The word was never related to 'man' in the sense of 'male' — 'mann' originally meant any person regardless of gender.