female Definition
fe·male (fē′māl′)
adjective
- designating or of the sex that produces ova and bears offspring: biological symbol, ♀
- of, characteristic of, or suitable to members of this sex; feminine
- consisting of women or girls
- designating or having a hollow part shaped to receive a corresponding inserted part (called male): said of pipe fittings, electric sockets, etc.
- Bot.
- having pistils, archegonia, or oogonia and no stamens or antheridia
- designating or of a reproductive structure or part containing large gametes (eggs) that can be fertilized by smaller, motile gametes (sperms)
- designating or of any structure or part that produces fruit after it is fertilized
Etymology: ME, altered after male < femelle < OFr < L femella, dim. of femina, a woman < IE base *dhē-, to suck, suckle > L felare, to suck, filius, son, fetus, progeny, Gr thēlazein, to suckle, thele, nipple
noun
- a female person; woman or girl
- a female animal or plant
female Related Forms
female Synonyms
female
modif.
Feminine
Belonging to the female sex
oviparous, reproductive, fertile, childbearing, pistillate, pistil-bearing, of the female gender, distaff, ""more deadly than the male, '' she*.
female Synonyms
female Usage Examples
Converse of object
- lactate: Can be used safely on all animals, even pregnant or lactating females.
- perch: Eventually I managed to get flight views of a male Rustic, and good views of a perched female - what a relief!
- chase: They need space as the male chases the female in an essential part of the mating process.
- trap: We have lent Maria one of our traps so that she can trap any females and they can be neutered at Martina's clinic.
Adjective modifier
- dominant: Beth is now a dominant female in this group.
- elderly: In 1994, however, the first case was described in the skeleton of an elderly female from a medieval cemetery in London.
- mature: Mature males have very short life-spans, while mature females can go on for many years.
- middle-aged: Lupus ( Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ) SLE is a generalized connective tissue disorder tending to affect middle-aged females.
- naked: So because Zombie Lake has very little to hold your interest, we get plenty of naked females - and I do mean plenty!
- old: Lifespan Males live up to 25 years old, females up to 35 years old.
Modifies a noun
- vocalist: Self contained with quality p.a. & lighting system. fronted by male & female vocalists - backed by funky horns & groovy rhythm section.
- singer: Which female singer provided lead vocals for the group?
- athlete: Two of the biggest names and most inspirational female athletes on the World Cup Circuit.
- mutilation: The RCM campaigns for better support for women who are pregnant in prison, or suffering domestic violence or female genital mutilation.
- vocal: The female vocals are great just sometimes creative too make for easy listening.
- hormone: I would have a word with your vet, maybe he will consider some female hormone to calm him down.
Noun used with modifier
- alpha: According to the reports no litters had been produced after the alpha female had been spayed when she experienced difficulties giving birth.
- adult: Adult females had a distinctly strong jaw, present in some modern islanders.
Preposition: with
calf: She sold 96 alpacas from females with calves, yearling females to geld males.
Preposition: than
male: Statistically speaking, it does tend to affect more females than males.
Browse dictionary entries near female
- ‹ FEMA
- ‹ fem
- ‹ felucca
- ‹ felting
- ‹ felt
- ‹ felspar
- ‹ felsite
- ‹ felsenmeer
- ‹ felony murder rule
- ‹ felony murder
- feme sole ›
- feminine ›
- femininity ›
- feminism ›
- feminize ›
- femme ›
- femme de chambre ›
- femme fatale ›
- femto- ›
- femtocell ›

