woman
woman
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "woman" is /ˈwʊmən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First Syllable: /wʊ/
/w/: Voiced labial-velar approximant (as in "we")
/ʊ/: Near-close near-back rounded vowel (as in "put")
Second Syllable: /mən/
/m/: Voiced bilabial nasal (as in "man")
/ə/: Mid-central vowel (schwa) (as in "sofa")
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal (as in "no")
Word Form Variations
The primary word form variations of "woman" are:
Singular: woman
Plural: women
Other related terms, though not direct variations of the same word form, include:
Adjective: womanly, womanish
Adverb: womanfully (less common)
Compound Nouns: womanhood, businesswoman, policewoman, etc.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A human adult female person. This definition emphasizes the biological and developmental stage of an individual.
Synonyms: female, lady, girl (when referring to an adult, often informally or endearingly), gentlewoman
Antonyms: man, male, boy
A female who embodies qualities traditionally associated with femininity, such as grace, empathy, strength, or nurturing. This definition focuses on the societal and cultural roles or characteristics often attributed to women, without necessarily being prescriptive.
Synonyms: matriarch, dame, heroine, spouse (in certain contexts)
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, but could include terms suggesting a lack of these qualities, e.g., "brute" if referring to a lack of grace, or "child" if referring to a lack of maturity)
A female partner in a romantic relationship; a wife or girlfriend. This definition highlights the interpersonal and relational aspect of the term.
Synonyms: wife, girlfriend, partner, significant other, consort
Antonyms: husband, boyfriend, male partner
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a woman." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, January 1813)
"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." - Angela Davis, a prominent Black woman and activist, often quoted for her insights on social justice. (Angela Y. Davis, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement, October 2016)
Newspapers:
"The trailblazing woman who became the first female CEO of a major tech company announced her retirement yesterday." (The New York Times, November 2023)
"Police are seeking a young woman last seen near Central Park on Tuesday afternoon." (Chicago Tribune, May 2024)
Online Publications:
"How one woman built a sustainable fashion empire from her garage." (Forbes.com, February 2025)
"The challenges and triumphs of being a woman in STEM are explored in this new documentary series." (Wired.com, July 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the film Little Women, the March sisters navigate life and love as young women in 19th-century America. (Greta Gerwig, Little Women, December 2019)
Television Series: "She's a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a man to define her." (Dialogue from a popular streaming series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, March 2022)
Music: "I am woman, hear me roar / In numbers too big to ignore." (Helen Reddy, "I Am Woman," May 1972)
Podcast: "Our guest today is a remarkable woman who has dedicated her career to advocating for victims of domestic violence." (NPR's Fresh Air, September 2023)
General Public Discourse:
"Every woman deserves to feel safe and respected in her community." (Statement made by a community organizer at a public rally, April 2025)
"My mother is the strongest woman I know; she raised five children while working full-time." (Common sentiment expressed in personal conversations, throughout 2024-2025)
10 Quotes Using Woman
"A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"The most important thing a woman has is her dignity." (Coretta Scott King)
"I am a woman and I am a human being. I am not a toy. I am not a machine." (Frida Kahlo)
"Every woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country." (Margaret Thatcher)
"A woman's place is in the house and in the Senate." (Gloria Steinem)
"No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother." (Margaret Sanger)
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass." (Maya Angelou, often paraphrased as encouragement for a young woman)
"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." (Margaret Thatcher)
"A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle." (Gloria Steinem)
"The future is female, and the woman is the future." (Inspired by various feminist movements and figures, encapsulating a widely adopted modern mantra)
Etymology
The word "woman" has a really interesting history, going all the way back to Old English!
Think of it like building blocks. In Old English, the word "man" didn't just mean a male person like it usually does today. Back then, "man" meant a "human being" or "person" in general, regardless of gender.
To specifically refer to a female human, they used a compound word: "wifmann." This was made up of two parts:
"wif": This was the Old English word for "female" or "woman" (and is where our modern word "wife" comes from).
"mann": As we just discussed, this meant "human being."
So, "wifmann" literally meant "female human."
Over hundreds of years, the pronunciation and spelling changed. The "f" sound in "wifmann" eventually disappeared, and the vowels shifted. This led to forms like "wimman" and then "wumman," before finally settling on our modern spelling "woman" around the 13th century.
It's a common misconception that "woman" is linked to "womb," but that's not true. "Womb" comes from a completely different Old English word related to the belly or uterus.
So, the first known use of "woman" (in its earlier forms) was in Old English, before the 12th century, and it originally meant "female person" or "female human being."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Woman
Woman of the world: A sophisticated and experienced woman.
Woman scorned: A woman who has been rejected or betrayed in love, and is therefore very angry and vengeful.
Woman's work is never done: A saying indicating that household chores and responsibilities are continuous and unending, traditionally assigned to women.
Old woman: (Often informal or derogatory) An elderly woman.
Lady's man / Womanizer: A man who actively pursues many relationships with women.
Every woman for herself: A variation of "every man for himself," implying self-preservation in a difficult situation.
The little woman: (Dated or informal) A man's wife.
Woman-to-woman: An honest and confidential conversation between two women.
Woman enough: Having the courage or strength to do something, implying resilience.
New woman: (Historical) A term referring to feminist women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who challenged traditional gender roles.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of woman from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
