How do you use "woman" in a sentence?

She was the first woman to win the award. The women in the office organised a charity event. A young woman asked for directions.

woman

Q: What does "woman" mean?

An adult female human being 'Woman' refers to an adult female human. The plural is 'women' (pronounced differently). 'Woman' is generally preferred over 'lady' in modern usage for its neutrality, though 'lady' remains polite in certain contexts. 'Women's' is commonly used as a modifier ('women's rights', 'women's football').

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: An adult female human being

女人，成年女性

mujer

女性、婦人

여성, 여자

'Woman' refers to an adult female human. The plural is 'women' (pronounced differently). 'Woman' is generally preferred over 'lady' in modern usage for its neutrality, though 'lady' remains polite in certain contexts. 'Women's' is commonly used as a modifier ('women's rights', 'women's football').

「woman」指成年女性。复数形式是「women」（发音不同）。在现代用法中，「woman」因其中性色彩通常比「lady」更受欢迎，但「lady」在某些场合仍然礼貌。「women's」常用作修饰语（「women's rights」、「women's football」）。

«Woman» se refiere a una mujer adulta. El plural es «women» (pronunciado diferente). «Woman» generalmente se prefiere sobre «lady» en el uso moderno por su neutralidad, aunque «lady» sigue siendo cortés en ciertos contextos. «Women's» se usa comúnmente como modificador («women's rights», «women's football»).

「woman」は成人女性を指します。複数形は「women」（発音が異なります）。現代の用法では、中立性から「woman」が「lady」より一般的に好まれますが、「lady」は特定の文脈では丁寧なままです。「women's」は修飾語としてよく使われます（「women's rights」、「women's football」）。

'Woman'은 성인 여성을 가리킵니다. 복수형은 'women'(발음이 다름)입니다. 현대 용법에서는 중립적인 'woman'이 'lady'보다 일반적으로 선호되지만, 특정 맥락에서는 'lady'도 정중한 표현으로 남아 있습니다. 'Women's'는 수식어로 흔히 사용됩니다('women's rights', 'women's football').

Examples

She was the first woman to win the award.
她是第一位获得该奖项的女性。
Fue la primera mujer en ganar el premio.
彼女はその賞を受賞した最初の女性でした。
그녀는 그 상을 수상한 최초의 여성이었습니다.
The women in the office organised a charity event.
办公室里的女士们组织了一场慈善活动。
Las mujeres de la oficina organizaron un evento benéfico.
オフィスの女性たちがチャリティーイベントを企画しました。
사무실의 여성들이 자선 행사를 기획했습니다.
A young woman asked for directions.
一位年轻女子问路。
Una mujer joven pidió indicaciones.
若い女性が道を尋ねました。
젊은 여성이 길을 물었습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'wīfmann', literally 'wife-person', where 'mann' meant 'human being' of either sex. Over centuries, 'wīfmann' contracted to 'woman' while 'mann' narrowed to mean only males. The 'wo-' has nothing to do with 'woe' — it comes from 'wīf' (female).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Story & Trivia

'Woman' evolved from Old English 'wifmann' (wife-man), where 'mann' meant person of either gender. Over time, 'wifmann' became 'woman' and 'mann' narrowed to mean only males. The 'wo-' has nothing to do with 'woe'.