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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

woman en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈwʉmən/ (Northern-Ireland, Scotland)
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈwoʊmən/ (US, dialectal)
  • /(ʋ)ʊˈmæːn/ (India)
  • [ˈwomɪn] (US, dialectal)
  • (US) audio
  • audio SSB
  • audio Andhra Pradesh
  • /ˈ(ʋ)ʊmən/ (India)
  • /ˈwʊmən/ (Australia, General-American, New-Zealand, Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˈwɵmən/ (British, Southern, Standard)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *wībą Proto-West Germanic *wīb Old English wīf Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Old English wīfmann Middle English womman English woman From Middle English womman, from earlier wimman, wifman, from Old English wīfmann (“woman”, literally “female person”), a compound of wīf (“woman, female”, whence English wife) + mann (“person, human being”, whence English man). For details on the pronunciation and spelling history, see the usage notes below. Cognate with Scots woman, weman (“woman”), Saterland Frisian Wieuwmoanske (“female person, female human, woman”). Similar construction can be found in West Frisian frommes (“woman, girl”) (from frou and minske, literally "woman human") and Afrikaans vroumens (“woman”, literally “woman-person”). Further information on vocalic development The current pronunciation of the first vowel of the singular began to appear in western England in the 13th century under the rounding influence of the w, though the older pronunciation with /i/ (→ modern /ɪ/) remained in use into the 15th century. Although the vowel of the plural was sometimes also altered to /u/ (→ modern /ʊ/) beginning in the 14th century, the pronunciation with /ɪ/ ultimately won out there, possibly under the influence of pairs like foot–feet. However, some speakers (especially of New Zealand English or South African English) have either retained or reinnovated the pronunciation of the plural with /ʊ/. The modern spelling women for the plural is due to influence of the singular; it is attested from the 15th century. For a time in the 16th and 17th centuries, the pronunciation of the singular sometimes drifted even further back towards /uː/ or /ɔː~oː/ (→ modern /oʊ~əʊ/) and the plural sometimes drifted even further forward towards /iː/, leading to comparisons of the words to "woe man" or "we men".)

Meanings

  1. An adult female human.
    • During World War II, many women worked as blacksmiths in the shipbuilding industry and found they liked the challenging, independent work. 1979, Muriel Lederer, Blue-collar jobs for women, page 59:
    • "There is nothing wrong with Melissa or the way she was raised. She is a sweet, kind, intelligent woman with a generous heart and more love for her child than you and Mother ever showed for either of your children." 2012, Kate Welsh, Substitute Daddy, →ISBN:
    • the first woman president of Spain
    • But this woman is a nice German woman that fell on the ice and sprained her ankle last winter, and we saw to her well as we could till she got better. 1887, Helen Campbell, Prisoners of poverty: their trades and their lives, page 120:
    • Dr. J. H. Vincent, the great lecturer, says that a man's greatness consists in his courage; his inherent nobleness; his noble deeds, great exploits, and benefits to the world; but that behind every great man is a great woman - his mother. 1888 September 6, Michigan School Moderator, page 402, column 3:
    • But of course Britain since 1979 has had a woman prime minister, while no woman has ever come near to being president of the United States. 1985, Anthony King, The British Prime Minister, Duke University Press, →ISBN:
    • Cause I'm every woman / It's all in me 1978, Ashford & Simpson, “I’m Every Woman”, in Chaka, performed by Chaka Khan:
    • You can't spend months studying the history of the suffrage movement without gaining a new appreciation for the grit and gumption it takes to be a powerful woman leader. 2020 August 18, Veronica Chambers, The Staff of The New York Times, Finish The Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote, HarperCollins, →ISBN:
  2. (collective) All female humans collectively; womankind.
    • Listen, Holly. Thou art a good and honest man, and I fain would spare thee; but, oh! it is so hard for woman to be merciful. 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, “The Balance Turns”, in She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC, page 191:
    • I am Woman, hear me roar / In numbers too big to ignore 1972, Helen Reddy, I Am Woman, first line:
    • For if modern woman is so intent on keeping her surname alive, why not demand it be passed along to her children? 1997, Bob Grant, Let's Be Heard, page 42:
    • Unsurprisingly, if modern man is a sort of camera, modern woman is a picture. 2011, Eileen Gray and the Design of Sapphic Modernity: Staying In, page 109:
    • “[…] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.” 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
    • THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. 1776 December 19, Thomas Paine, The American Crisis:
  3. A female person, usually an adult: a (generally adult) female sentient being, whether human, supernatural, elf, alien, etc.
    • Sir, have you ever served with any Bajoran women? 1993, Michael Piller, “Emissary”, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Chief O'Brien (Colm Meaney):
    • There was a pair of burly dwarves – a woman and a man – bearing the markings of the formidable Thane Guards. 2014, Oisin McGann, Kings of the Realm: Cruel Salvation, Penguin UK, →ISBN:
    • Clearing a space between the tables, the men tested their prowess against one another with feats of wrestling and archery and bouts with quarterstaves. Two of the elves, a man and a woman, demonstrated their skill with swordplay—[…] 2008, Christopher Paolini, Brisingr: Or The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular - Inheritance Book Three, →ISBN, page 549:
    • One of the elves, a woman with long auburn hair, was garbed identically to the two dwarves. 2007, Clifford B. Bowyer, The Siege of Zoldex, Silver Leaf Books, LLC, →ISBN, page 307:
    • At the very dawn of religion, God was a woman. 2012, Merlin Stone, When God Was A Woman:
    • To be born a woman has been to be born, within an allotted and confined space, into the keeping of men. 2003, Amelia Jones, The Feminism and Visual Culture Reader, Psychology Press, →ISBN, page 37:
  4. A wife (or sometimes a fiancée or girlfriend).
    • Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. 1611, King James, “Proverbs 31:10-31”, in King James Bible, England:
    • And then, when he lies with his woman, the man may concurrently be with God, and so get increase of his soul. 1914, D. H. Lawrence, Study of Thomas Hardy and Other Essays, chapter 7: "Of Being and Not-Being"
  5. A female person who is extremely fond of or devoted to a specified type of thing. (Used as the last element of a compound.)
    • Perhaps my problem is that I am a cat woman. I can't imagine any finicky feline (and they all are that at one time or another) slobbering over anyone, even a beloved owner, the way a dog does. 2004, Hyveth Williams, Secrets of a Happy Heart: A Fresh Look at the Sermon on the Mount, page 70:
  6. A female attendant or servant.
    • By her woman I sent your message. 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
wymyn alternative lexicographic
womens alternative lexicographic
wimen alternative lexicographic
wommon alternative lexicographic
womyn alternative lexicographic
wimmen alternative lexicographic
womon alternative lexicographic
wimmin alternative lexicographic
women Number=Plur lexicographic
womin alternative lexicographic
whoman alternative lexicographic
wimin alternative lexicographic
wymmyn alternative lexicographic
womans alternative lexicographic
wom*n alternative lexicographic
weoman alternative lexicographic
womxn alternative lexicographic

Antonyms

girl · man

Coordinates

man (gender) · girl (age)

Deriveds

woman of the night · behind every successful man there stands a woman · frontierwoman · jurywoman · woman among women · Changing Woman · behind every great man is a great woman · tally-woman · taliswoman · presswoman · railwoman · womansplain · char-woman · womanproof · womanspeak · highwaywoman · womanese · Orangewoman · white women's tears · tartwoman · womanifesto · cocklewoman · womanhater · woman-slaughter · women's troubles · womanlover · woman cave · pitchwoman · railwaywoman · -woman · womandom · womanhating · woman-hour · a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle · wild woman · everywoman · womban · chamberwoman · womanish · woman of letters · womanhandle · piewoman · womanpower · woman sage · schoolwoman · woman-born-woman · womanchild · cavalrywoman · workingwoman · kennelwoman · panwoman · woman and girl · womansplaining · clanswoman · women's shelter · lady's woman · womanhood · black woman · postwoman · dewomanise · woman talk · woman about town · fall woman · hell hath no fury like a woman scorned · womanipulation · womanface · adwoman · ironwoman · woman-identified-woman · showwoman · cheesewoman · a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle · womanwise · outside woman · woman of ill fame · world's fastest woman · women's clothing · career woman · woodswoman · dustwoman · women's liberation · taxwoman · Leinsterwoman · woman-sized · corpswoman · women's room · missing white woman syndrome · womanward · patrolwoman · ploughwoman · hitwoman · butt woman · guildswoman · once a woman, twice a child · pregnant woman · megawoman · churchwoman · party woman · woman of the town · womanthrope · man-woman · women's libber · womanistic · womanize · women's rights · family woman · batswoman · all-woman · make an honest woman · Women's Christmas · scrubwoman · womannap · woman enough · Corkwoman · mailwoman · woman of means · woman-made · woman of the world · ciswoman · womanager · women's work · applewoman · womancentric · reinswoman · wingwoman · giraffe woman · biowoman · ewomancipation · conjure woman · womanizer · behind every great man there stands a woman · every woman Jill · cakewoman · trans-woman · dead woman walking · womanless · straight woman · infantrywoman · journeywoman · womanful · Connachtwoman · Scotchwoman · Kerrywoman · bottom woman · bushwoman · woman-child · the old woman is plucking her goose · woman overboard · dewomanize · women's refuge · tripewoman · woman-hater · lacewoman · weedwoman · butter-woman · slaughterwoman · women are wonderful effect · woman-day · white woman tears · diabetic bearded woman syndrome · wardswoman · womanlike · frontierswoman · venirewoman · leading woman · womance · womanist · pizza woman · vestrywoman · womanservant · woman-fashion · one-woman band · footwoman · frontwoman · woman ☕ · womanness · one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen · herdswoman · longshorewoman · tallywoman · womankind · Samsui woman · women's lib · Klanswoman · womenfolk · huntswoman · dried-fish woman · woman of few words · necessary woman · one-woman · Mayowoman · remittance woman · floorwoman · womanspreading · cleaning woman · Munsterwoman · woman on the street · freshwoman · funnywoman · freewoman · womanism · woman fashion · woman hater · pantrywoman · plowwoman · huwoman · womanfully · sporting woman · bosswoman · yes woman · women's studies · wo/man · woman child · wolfwoman · moss-woman · handywoman · pro-woman · every woman for herself · womanfriend · womanhunt · bellwoman · battered woman syndrome · woman of the cloth · womanflesh · blade-woman · womantic · women's business · newspaperwoman · lotus woman · wise woman · woman of the hour · womencentric · cis-woman · bug woman · Renaissance woman · woman king · cabwoman · woman-handle · unwomaned · bondswoman · aircraftwoman · womanhead · woman of the people · womanly

Descendants

우먼 · oema · uman · ooman · oman · ウーマン · uma · uman · vom

Hypernyms

human · man · female · person

Hyponyms

muscle woman · mother · Frenchwoman · stockwoman · fussock · bowerwoman · gunwoman · unwoman · spokeswoman · woman of easy virtue · catwoman · outdoorswoman · sidewoman · merwoman · committeewoman · beautiful woman · one-upwomanship · woman of science · hangwoman · Norsewoman · steerswoman · black widow · artillerywoman · merchantwoman · garbage woman · workwoman · Irishwoman · snowwoman · toywoman · washwoman · trans woman · Earthwoman · gentlewoman · henchwoman · first woman · old woman · advance woman · superwoman · jazzwoman · Wonder Woman · clubwoman · public woman · militiawoman · gay woman · cavewoman · charwoman · Cornishwoman · promiscuous woman · cunning woman · watchwoman · plainswoman · Proverbs woman · noblewoman · repairwoman · flagwoman · storewoman · little woman · lobsterwoman · thinking woman's · other woman · groundswoman · firewoman · hillwoman · signalwoman · swordswoman · crewwoman · Ulsterwoman · demoiselle · milkwoman · woman of the street · shrew · townswoman · councilwoman · medicine woman · warehousewoman · fisherwoman · silkwoman · Yorkshirewoman · triggerwoman · butt-woman · stationwoman · scarlet woman · poultrywoman · horsewoman · businesswoman · craftswoman · saleswoman · New Woman · dairywoman · yachtswoman · camerawoman · basewoman · forewoman · axewoman · careerwoman · comfort woman · brakewoman · stuntwoman · policewoman · helmswoman · woman of ill repute · ranchwoman · strongwoman · selectwoman · servicewoman · spearwoman · stunt woman · ferrywoman · bondwoman · liegewoman · barwoman · tirewoman · antiwoman · blueswoman · old lady · aircraftswoman · strange woman · right-hand woman · needlewoman · freedwoman · weatherwoman · enwoman · leatherwoman · middlewoman · tradeswoman · almswoman · riflewoman · cis woman · chairwoman · basketwoman · madwoman · markswoman · beggarwoman · countrywoman · damsel · laundrywoman · shopwoman · guardswoman · bargewoman · herbwoman · washerwoman · clergywoman · transwoman · lineswoman · nurserywoman · ugly woman · counterwoman · gleewoman · Scotswoman · coachwoman · Dutchwoman · boatwoman · airwoman · loose woman · sportswoman · nonwoman · con woman · cattlewoman · kept woman · doorwoman · bowwoman · apewoman · woman of the house · penwoman · deliverywoman · spacewoman · fishwoman · stateswoman · gatewoman

Relateds

sexual partner · lover

Synonyms

femme · bird · mort · more at Thesaurus:woman · broad · ginch · baggage · sheila · mulier · twist · she · huwoman · placket · thot · chick · wommon · bitch · female · hen · wimmin · femoid · lady · womxn · frow · gal · gentlelady · pussy · babe · gash · frau · wan · dame · blone · feme · tía · ho · wife · bint · skirt · womon · bim · maness · vaginoid · covess · donna · squaw · queen · womyn · woman · femininity

Translations (1659)

wrg warrngo (adult female person) · iwm wik (adult female person) · ur سُتْری (adult female person) · ro muiere (adult female person) · ale ayagax̂ (adult female person) · ngb wáli (adult female person) · kpc iinaro (adult female person) · cdo 女界 (adult female person) · hdy meento (adult female person) · egy N41:t-B1 (adult female person) · cst mukurma (adult female person) · vro naanõ (adult female person) · kgp ũn tỹtá (adult female person) · grt me·chik (adult female person) · sh жена (adult female person) · mk же́на (adult female person) · roa-opt dona (adult female person) · tjg wawe (adult female person) · sjr fain (adult female person) · mn ᠡᠮᠡᠭᠲᠡᠢ (adult female person) · bo སྐྱེས་དམན (adult female person) · pbb uʔj (adult female person) · akt elim (adult female person) · tyv эшпи (adult female person) · tyv херээжен (adult female person) · pia okosi (adult female person) · krl akku (adult female person) · ysg zo²¹ma²¹ (adult female person) · kcn marya (adult female person) · mzq irowai (adult female person) · eka ɑbəkɑl (adult female person) · mbp mena (adult female person) · eka nɛnkɑl (adult female person) · bxg mwasi (adult female person) · mia mitemohsa (adult female person) · tpf mupin (adult female person) · nyn omukazi (adult female person) · su istri (adult female person) · hhy kiwolu (adult female person) · isi nɛnkɑl (adult female person) · arz ست (adult female person) · miw apäki (adult female person) · trp bwrwi (adult female person) · kvc tamine (adult female person) · fvr yaa (adult female person) · bn নারী (adult female person) · abe phanem (adult female person) · ig nwanyi (adult female person) · tbo keduluma (adult female person) · bdq drŏ-kăn (adult female person) · nn dame (adult female person) · gmw-rfr Fraa (adult female person) · inb warmi (adult female person) · bya babáʔi (adult female person) · bwu nipowa (adult female person) · ixl ixoj (adult female person) · mwp ipikaz (adult female person) · fro dame (adult female person) · ese epona (adult female person) · khq woy (adult female person) · onw ⲉⲧ̅ⲧ- (adult female person) · bec okɛɣ (adult female person) · ags mɔ̀ŋgúlú (adult female person) · acw حُرْمة (adult female person) · twf łȉwéna (adult female person) · sv kvinna (adult female person) · guh petíri-waː (adult female person) · mue warmi (adult female person) · ata sema (adult female person) · mhi ízí (adult female person) · pbn ṇswêɛ̂ (adult female person) · zgr vaini (adult female person) · mg vehivavy (adult female person) · pjt kungka (adult female person) · nfu bwǿ (adult female person) · wo jigéen (adult female person) · urb mirixo (adult female person) · pui den (adult female person) · sai-msk ihntá (adult female person) · agt babae (adult female person) · mbl ũn (adult female person) · iu arnaq (adult female person) · az qadın (adult female person) · ttu baine (adult female person) · zae nuila (adult female person) · hto rɯ́-ŋo (adult female person) · apx inan (adult female person) · ttv pein (adult female person) · nai-chi aʔyāj (adult female person) · gdq tēṭ (adult female person) · khz vavine (adult female person) · bm muso (adult female person) · pac can (adult female person) · cac ’ix (adult female person) · khi-kun de (adult female person) · mnb robhine (adult female person) · oj ikwe (adult female person) · za mehmbwk (adult female person) · cr ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (adult female person) · mrv toaahine (adult female person) · pre mye (adult female person) · ajp ست (adult female person) · sas nina (adult female person) · ojv hine (adult female person) · teh kārken (adult female person) · caq kikano (adult female person) · cam tóomwó (adult female person) · ace inong (adult female person) · woc veine (adult female person) · sco wumman (adult female person) · brg eton (adult female person) · mna waine (adult female person) · cas phen (adult female person) · res u-dono (adult female person) · zpv gunna'h (adult female person) · ywr jarndu (adult female person) · tpx aʔgu (adult female person) · tos puscāt (adult female person) · id perempuan (adult female person) · hop wùuti (adult female person) · dng фунү (adult female person) · frr wüset (adult female person) · aoa mengai (adult female person) · mwc babine (adult female person) · nmw vaini (adult female person) · rro babine (adult female person) · eu andre (adult female person) · ml സ്ത്രീ (adult female person) · aer arelhe (adult female person) · chl níchill (adult female person) · kca-nor ими (adult female person) · yur wenchokws (adult female person) · hil babáye (adult female person) · vnk nene (adult female person) · ems arnaq (adult female person) · kg n’kênto (adult female person) · njo-jgl ánítì (adult female person) · pcd fanme (adult female person) · cad náttih (adult female person) · mwn umwanachi class 1 (adult female person) · li vrouw (adult female person) · dsb žeńska (adult female person) · pnr aid (adult female person) · fa-ira ضعیفه (adult female person) · ofu àbàkán (adult female person) · la fēmina (adult female person) · wmw mwanamuka (adult female person) · de Weibsperson (adult female person) · one yakukwé (adult female person) · jv wong wadon (adult female person) · lgk vin (adult female person) · ceb babaye (adult female person) · not tsínané (adult female person) · ayd wethemu (adult female person) · wes wuman (adult female person) · aqc лъоннол (adult female person) · ss umfati (adult female person) · btx diberu (adult female person) · wbp karnta (adult female person) · urz kunha (adult female person) · tjm nia (adult female person) · tzm ⵜⴰⵎⵟⵟⵓⵜ (adult female person) · btu nyìnò (adult female person) · apu sytu (adult female person) · cbv jad⁴ wili⁴ (adult female person) · tsg babai (adult female person) · agn babay (adult female person) · ttt zən (adult female person) · es mujer (adult female person) · wic kaahiik'a (adult female person) · lv sieviete (adult female person) · xla eya (adult female person) · roo riakova (adult female person) · mop chʼup (adult female person) · boa kʷatʃe (adult female person) · msk bobay (adult female person) · duk ajau (adult female person) · ve musadzi (adult female person) · nan-hbl 女性 (adult female person) · nus ciek (adult female person) · rop wuman (adult female person) · ach dakóo (adult female person) · avi(adult female person) · nai-knm kihínàpxī́k (adult female person) · wab pain (adult female person) · skd ˀoh·a- (adult female person) · lo ຜູ້ຍິງ (adult female person) · ktu keento (adult female person) · ctm kica (adult female person) · bxh waihin (adult female person) · poe tja³chjin³ (adult female person) · so naag (adult female person) · shv teṭ (adult female person) · ne आइमाई (adult female person) · svb tein (adult female person) · isd babáy (adult female person) · nan-hbl 女人 (adult female person) · tly ژن (adult female person) · tdv afiya (adult female person) · yer ùcár (adult female person) · txb śana (adult female person) · tpw kunhã (adult female person) · hsb žona (adult female person) · sq grua (adult female person) · ur زَن (adult female person) · ura eene (adult female person) · idb molja (adult female person) · nb dame (adult female person) · bcn ṇséê (adult female person) · omc mecherque (adult female person) · pot kwé (adult female person) · dv އަންހެންމީހާ (adult female person) · srn frow (adult female person) · zea vrouwe (adult female person) · th ผู้หญิง (adult female person) · trn seno (adult female person) · ps ښځه (adult female person) · ur زَنانی (adult female person) · coe pãi-o (adult female person) · ayz fai (adult female person) · ro doamnă (adult female person) · ruq muľári (adult female person) · dus mitsɨm (adult female person) · zu umfazi (adult female person) · gby nyigo (adult female person) · mrv ahine (adult female person) · jam ooman (adult female person) · wed wavine (adult female person) · bi woman (adult female person) · nv asdzą́ą́ (adult female person) · ore nomio ago (adult female person) · ifb babāi (adult female person) · li vrommesj (adult female person) · uta ɔkwɑs (adult female person) · wiv tavine (adult female person) · xbi maken (adult female person) · yrb aweta (adult female person) · atj iskwew (adult female person) · aau sao (adult female person) · tmq tamen (adult female person) · nay mimini (adult female person) · jig nayu (adult female person) · nd umfazi (adult female person) · shn ယိင်း (adult female person) · klw bangkele (adult female person) · snk yaxare (adult female person) · kbw main (adult female person) · api koñá (adult female person) · pam babayi (adult female person) · aap pumiɛ (adult female person) · wrr bangbun (adult female person) · tr bayan (adult female person) · hss teṭ (adult female person) · aa barra (adult female person) · pau dil (adult female person) · ay palla (adult female person) · nnh nzwě (adult female person) · ks ज़ऺन्य (adult female person) · be кабе́ціна (adult female person) · rac kuru (adult female person) · msn reqe (adult female person) · dje woyboro (adult female person) · cic ihoo (adult female person) · is kona (adult female person) · so afo (adult female person) · sey 'pãĩ-o (adult female person) · yaq hámut (adult female person) · bla aakii- (adult female person) · ti ሰበይቲ (adult female person) · jan gin (adult female person) · coe 'romi-o (adult female person) · klw tina (adult female person) · hid mia (adult female person) · kbh ʃembása (adult female person) · ta பெண் (adult female person) · myh xad'ak (adult female person) · mbn warapénɨ (adult female person) · tun nuxtci (adult female person) · rom gaʒi (adult female person) · wyi badjurr (adult female person) · rma kuma (adult female person) · he אישה \ אִשָּׁה (adult female person) · ppl siwat (adult female person) · unr कुड़ि (adult female person) · sus gine (adult female person) · bag okótó (adult female person) · cbk muher (adult female person) · khb ᦍᦲᧂ (adult female person) · bol mondu (adult female person) · hi औरत (adult female person) · crp-mar besi (adult female person) · paa-nun oe (adult female person) · miz ñā dɨhɨ (adult female person) · jup tãʔãjd (adult female person) · aai babin (adult female person) · koa fafni (adult female person) · nut toi me (adult female person) · pah kunha (adult female person) · frp fena (adult female person) · wym fraoj (adult female person) · sc femina (adult female person) · bg жена́ (adult female person) · sk žena (adult female person) · gmw-tsx Frä (adult female person) · sai-oto ugua (adult female person) · tfn k'isen (adult female person) · urb kunjã (adult female person) · faf hehene (adult female person) · nag maaki (adult female person) · tum mwanakazi (adult female person) · trv mqedin (adult female person) · mvi midun (midun) (adult female person) · kmv fam (adult female person) · gae neyawa (adult female person) · ko 여인 (adult female person) · ckt ӈэвысӄэт (adult female person) · kxo e (adult female person) · nap femmena (adult female person) · yee narmaŋ (adult female person) · sw mwanamke (adult female person) · ho hahine (adult female person) · mig ñãʔã (adult female person) · mic e'pit (adult female person) · tuo bãsṍ (adult female person) · bn মহিলা (adult female person) · idb mujá (adult female person) · arn domo (adult female person) · roa-cha fonme (adult female person) · bjc aweta (adult female person) · aot gawi (adult female person) · cjk pwo (adult female person) · oca maami (adult female person) · vot nain (adult female person) · hai jáadaa (adult female person) · urz kunhangwera (adult female person) · bqb is (adult female person) · pim krenepo (adult female person) · crw ur (adult female person) · vkp mulɛr (adult female person) · stp 'uví (adult female person) · ntw ekening (adult female person) · ktz dshàú (adult female person) · vi phụ nữ (adult female person) · niu fifine (adult female person) · roa-oca dona (adult female person) · kaa qotın (adult female person) · kn ಸ್ತ್ರೀ (adult female person) · ncj sihuatl (adult female person) · pa ਔਰਤ (adult female person) · kot ginim (adult female person) · pms fumna (adult female person) · fab námay (adult female person) · ce зуда (adult female person) · sa स्त्री (adult female person) · ka ბანოვანი (adult female person) · djk mama (adult female person) · crz hemute (adult female person) · abl sɘbɑy (adult female person) · gmw-ecg Froo (adult female person) · nds Fru (adult female person) · ks ترٕٛے (adult female person) · kzh ɛ̄n (adult female person) · guo puwís (adult female person) · lay jɯ̃³³jĩ²¹ (adult female person) · yux paj (adult female person) · ljp bəbːɑi (adult female person) · mlp aw (adult female person) · nzd okáàr (adult female person) · kpx keate (adult female person) · sai-mar chiguat (adult female person) · ktn nhõnso (adult female person) · cro bía (adult female person) · atv кат (adult female person) · kwi aʃampa (adult female person) · kr kamu (adult female person) · txn konar (adult female person) · nsq ûsûû (adult female person) · mfe madam (adult female person) · aah numata' (adult female person) · io homino (adult female person) · ln mwasi (adult female person) · tcs gel (adult female person) · ycr onna (adult female person) · kls istríža (adult female person) · kkz gedeni (adult female person) · srm mujɛ́ɛ (adult female person) · tqw gwa·n (adult female person) · isi nɛnkal (adult female person) · nci cihuātl (adult female person) · xed marakw (adult female person) · bpg mofin (adult female person) · yey kazi (adult female person) · mak baine (adult female person) · yog babay (adult female person) · los pihin (adult female person) · sa महिला (adult female person) · xwa tay (adult female person) · psy azquaen (adult female person) · tbc pein (adult female person) · onn ido (adult female person) · or ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ (adult female person) · kac num (adult female person) · paw capaat (adult female person) · mky mapín (adult female person) · dob waine (adult female person) · tk naçar (adult female person) · tow ˀówa (adult female person) · ctu xꞌixik (adult female person) · ko 녀자 (adult female person) · lsd בכתא (adult female person) · mcx mya (adult female person) · pl białogłowa (adult female person) · pad gamo (adult female person) · udu ʼbóm (adult female person) · acd ɔkyii (adult female person) · gd boireannach (adult female person) · cks ño (adult female person) · dlm dona (adult female person) · bcu paen (adult female person) · tew kwee (adult female person) · gnn baṯami (adult female person) · jv wanita (adult female person) · sms neezzan (adult female person) · nij bawi (adult female person) · mn эмэгтэй хүн (adult female person) · kbc iwaalo (adult female person) · tk heleý (adult female person) · ilo babái (adult female person) · uur yarvin (adult female person) · cin wanzét (adult female person) · sny taune (adult female person) · lmo dona (adult female person) · asu hée (adult female person) · jhi baboʔ (adult female person) · ki mũtumia (adult female person) · mxm tavine (adult female person) · co ronna (adult female person) · klx vavine (adult female person) · kkk nakodou (adult female person) · rif tamɣart (adult female person) · su wanoja (adult female person) · maq chjuun (adult female person) · ljp sebai (adult female person) · lki ژەن (adult female person) · rng wansati (adult female person) · bew cèwè' (adult female person) · akk 𒊩 (adult female person) · vmw muthiyana (adult female person) · kge sobɑy (adult female person) · fax mullel (adult female person) · ak ɔbea (adult female person) · mrn ḡa'ase (adult female person) · sai-cul ahhi (adult female person) · bsn rõbĩ-õ (adult female person) · pok dũbĩ'õ (adult female person) · mcf chido (adult female person) · taa tr'axa (adult female person) · si ගෑනි (adult female person) · bwr mwala (adult female person) · zga un-dala (adult female person) · sln litse (adult female person) · lmb lepne (adult female person) · ja 女性 (adult female person) · lvk aira (adult female person) · ape élmatok (adult female person) · buy nɔ̀làkán (adult female person) · kmh bin (adult female person) · asn kuñỹ (adult female person) · ckb ئافرەت (adult female person) · ar اِمْرَأَة (adult female person) · bhq wowine (adult female person) · lut sɬádəyʔ (adult female person) · kxa moin (adult female person) · tet feto (adult female person) · kw benyn (adult female person) · naq darekhues (adult female person) · lu mukaji (adult female person) · hrc fifin (adult female person) · dbj liun (adult female person) · mn ᠡᠬᠡᠨᠡᠷ (adult female person) · xnt squaw (adult female person) · ast muyer (adult female person) · tbe noviña (adult female person) · vec fémena (adult female person) · mmq abi (adult female person) · cri mwala (adult female person) · itv babáy (adult female person) · naw ɔkyee (adult female person) · pl baba (adult female person) · mdh babay (adult female person) · el γυναίκα (adult female person) · wro wangayinya (adult female person) · to fefine (adult female person) · agw hehene (adult female person) · za dozyah (adult female person) · bkm wi (adult female person) · nsz kyle (adult female person) · bmr gáí-go (adult female person) · osp mugier (adult female person) · akl babáye (adult female person)

wikipedia: South African English · wikipedia: New Zealand English · wikidata: Q467

woman en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • /ˈwʉmən/ (Northern-Ireland, Scotland)
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈwoʊmən/ (US, dialectal)
  • /(ʋ)ʊˈmæːn/ (India)
  • [ˈwomɪn] (US, dialectal)
  • (US) audio
  • audio SSB
  • audio Andhra Pradesh
  • /ˈ(ʋ)ʊmən/ (India)
  • /ˈwʊmən/ (Australia, General-American, New-Zealand, Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˈwɵmən/ (British, Southern, Standard)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *wībą Proto-West Germanic *wīb Old English wīf Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Old English wīfmann Middle English womman English woman From Middle English womman, from earlier wimman, wifman, from Old English wīfmann (“woman”, literally “female person”), a compound of wīf (“woman, female”, whence English wife) + mann (“person, human being”, whence English man). For details on the pronunciation and spelling history, see the usage notes below. Cognate with Scots woman, weman (“woman”), Saterland Frisian Wieuwmoanske (“female person, female human, woman”). Similar construction can be found in West Frisian frommes (“woman, girl”) (from frou and minske, literally "woman human") and Afrikaans vroumens (“woman”, literally “woman-person”). Further information on vocalic development The current pronunciation of the first vowel of the singular began to appear in western England in the 13th century under the rounding influence of the w, though the older pronunciation with /i/ (→ modern /ɪ/) remained in use into the 15th century. Although the vowel of the plural was sometimes also altered to /u/ (→ modern /ʊ/) beginning in the 14th century, the pronunciation with /ɪ/ ultimately won out there, possibly under the influence of pairs like foot–feet. However, some speakers (especially of New Zealand English or South African English) have either retained or reinnovated the pronunciation of the plural with /ʊ/. The modern spelling women for the plural is due to influence of the singular; it is attested from the 15th century. For a time in the 16th and 17th centuries, the pronunciation of the singular sometimes drifted even further back towards /uː/ or /ɔː~oː/ (→ modern /oʊ~əʊ/) and the plural sometimes drifted even further forward towards /iː/, leading to comparisons of the words to "woe man" or "we men".)

Meanings

  1. To staff with female labor.
    • Gus Dinsmore, the public beach parking lot attendent,^([sic]) said he guessed that so many cars must be just stopped dead along the road that even those manned (or womaned) by able drivers would be unable to move. 1990, Stephen King, chapter 28, in The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition, New York, N.Y.: Signet, published May 1991, →ISBN, page 235:
    • Apparently the Sixty-ninth Street office of Bagby Answers, Inc., was being womaned for the day from other offices. 1956, Rex Stout, Three Witnesses, The Viking Press, page 54:
    • […]he should prove, from the testimony of the most experienced seamen, that the vessel was, if not, strictly speaking, sufficiently manned, yet that she was sufficiently manned and womanned. The Gypsey was a vessel of 43 tons burden, and there were on board two able seamen and the Captain’s wife, who was a very good sailor; 1813, “Yorkshire Assizes. May a woman be deemed a sailor sufficient in manning a vessel? Case of Insurance.—Cook v. Thompson.”, in The Literary Panorama, […], volume XIV, London: […] Cox and Baylis, […] for C[harles] Taylor, […], page 683:
    • The information desk is now manned (womaned) by someone whose main job is to help you reserve time slots for the computers or guide you through the arduous process of “logging on.” 2010, Julia Glass, The Widower's Tale, page 77:
  2. (transitive) To make effeminate or womanish.
    • I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief / That the first face of neither on the start / Can woman me unto't. c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], line 50:
  3. (transitive) To furnish with, or unite to, a woman.
    • And think it no addition, nor my wish, / To have him see me woman'd. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], line 191:
  4. (transitive) To call (a person) “woman” in a disrespectful fashion.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
womaning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
womanning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
womans Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
womaned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
womaned Tense=Past lexicographic
womanned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
womanned Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

weaker vessel · femme · female · girl · feminine · woman up · lady · fair sex

Translations (3)

bg феминизирам (To make effeminate or womanish) · de verweiblichen (To make effeminate or womanish) · de feminisieren (To make effeminate or womanish)

wikipedia: South African English · wikipedia: New Zealand English