female
Noun pluralfemales
Pluralfemales
- 1Of or about women and girls, or the sex of animals and plants that makes eggs, has babies or bears fruit.
The female bird builds the nest all by herself.
The female cat had four kittens last night.
UsageUsually used before a noun: a female cat.
Oppositemale
Note
- 2A woman, a girl, or an animal or plant of the sex that has babies, lays eggs or makes seeds.
The doctor asked whether the patient was a male or a female.
Our zoo has three giraffes, and two of them are females.
UsageFor people in everyday talk, say woman or girl. A female can sound cold.
Oppositemale
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- 3
Less common meanings
- 4Having a hole or socket that another part fits into.
Like a hole that a peg fits into.
Plug the cable into the female socket on the back.
This adapter has a female end that the pipe slides into.
Oppositemale
Note
- 5A part with a socket or hole that another part fits into.
Screw the male end into the female to join the two pipes.
Screw the male fitting into the female until it is tight.
Similarsocket, receptacle
Oppositemale
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- 6
- 7Of a bacterium that lacks the F factor and can receive DNA from another one that has it.
- 8A bacterium that lacks the F factor and can take in DNA from another one that has it.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin "fēmella," meaning a girl or young woman, a small form of "fēmina" (a woman). English later changed the spelling to match "male," though the two words are not really related.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Female derives ultimately from Latin fēmella. en.wikipedia.org
- Latin fēmella means a girl or young woman. en.wiktionary.org
- Fēmella is a diminutive of fēmina, meaning woman. en.wikipedia.org
- English altered the spelling under the influence of male. en.wiktionary.org
- Female and male have distinct etymological origins. en.wiktionary.org