female 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfē-ˌmāl How to pronounce female (audio)
Definition of femalenext
as in feminine
of, relating to, or marked by qualities traditionally associated with women the composer's new music calls for female voices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

female

2 of 2

noun

as in lady
an adult female human being researchers are looking for females aged 50 to 70 to take part in the study

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of female
Adjective
That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Another global estimate says 11% of females have lipedema, the clinic adds, noting that the condition is rare in males. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The arrest came after Blanco, of Guatemala, allegedly met with a 17-year-old female to have sex within his cabin on multiple occasions. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for female
Recent Examples of Synonyms for female
  1. feminine
  2. lady
  3. woman
Adjective
  • Through serial repetition, role-play, and the oscillation between masculine and feminine visual codes, Stötzer stages gender as something performed rather than possessed.
    — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Along with a brief moment of tenderness Sara experiences with her class’s resident dork, this feminine camaraderie makes for a nugget of niceness in a sea of despair.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of feminine
Noun
  • Whether through her singing, or her larger-than-life persona and brand, or her entertaining and acting and Dollywood theme park and philanthropy, this is a legendary lady who will continue to be loved by all with a lasting legacy.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hunting a lady tiger with cubs posed some special problems, so Upendra Singh went to his father for advice.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lady
Noun
  • Pattullo said that the abuse directed toward women athletes also differed qualitatively from what male athletes received.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But now, all of a sudden I'm also made aware that this woman who paved the way for modern astronomy is just sitting right there, mere feet away from me across the tent.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of woman

Browse Nearby Words

felt up
female
femaleness
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Cite this Entry

“Female.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/female. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on female

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about female

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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