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woman
/ˈwʊmɘn/
The word "woman" refers to an adult female. The plural form is "women" (pronounced /wɪmɪn/). In some contexts, using the word as a general term for a person's gender is standard, but be mindful of the social context when using it as a collective noun.
💬Casual Conversation
I'm totally falling apart. I just want that woman back in my arms.
Emotional outbursts are a breach of protocol. Please curb it.
Meanings
Examples
That woman over there is actually my aunt!
Who is that woman standing by the altar, anyway?
I just want to be a strong woman for my kids.
Listen, that woman is the boss; do what she says!
She's a remarkable woman, isn't she?
Wait, is that woman still following us through the mall?
I think the woman in the blue dress forgot her purse.
My mother was a very traditional woman of her time.
Collocations & Compounds
career woman
A woman who is professionally active and prioritizes her career.
businesswoman
A woman who works in business or manages a company.
young woman
An adult female who is in the early stages of adulthood.
woman of her word
A woman who keeps her promises and is reliable.
modern woman
A woman who embodies contemporary social attitudes and lifestyles.
Idioms & Sayings
woman of her word
A woman who keeps her promises.
career woman
A woman who is professionally active and prioritizes her career.
woman of the world
A woman who is experienced in the ways of society and human nature.
Cultural Context
Across the tapestry of human history, the figure of the woman has often been cast not merely as a participant in destiny, but as its primary architect. From the Moirai of Ancient Greece to the Norns of Norse mythology, the image of the 'weaver' is one of the most enduring and powerful symbols associated with femininity. In these traditions, the cosmic order is not dictated by thunderous gods or warring kings, but by women who spin, measure, and cut the threads of human existence.
The Greek Moirai—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos—exemplify this divine authority. Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis determined its length, and Atropos snipped it with her shears. This conceptualization suggests a profound psychological understanding: that life is a fragile, woven fabric, and that the ultimate power over mortality rests in a steady, feminine hand. Similarly, in Norse lore, the Norns sat at the well of Urd beneath the world-tree Yggdrasil, carving runes into wood and weaving the webs of Wyrd (fate), influencing even the gods themselves.
Beyond fate, the archetype of the woman often represents the bridge between the known and the unknown. Consider the Oracle of Delphi, where a woman's voice served as the sole conduit for the divine will of Apollo. This recurring theme suggests that throughout antiquity, the woman was viewed as possessing a unique intuitive or spiritual capacity to navigate the mysteries of the universe.
In modern psychology, these myths reflect the 'Anima' and the collective unconscious, where the feminine principle is linked to creation, intuition, and the cyclical nature of life (birth, death, and rebirth). By examining how different cultures envisioned the woman as a weaver or a seer, we uncover a universal human desire to find meaning in the chaos of existence. The weaver is not just a myth; she is a metaphor for the agency and intricacy with which we construct our own identities and legacies.