Woman vs. Women — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Woman" is a singular noun referring to an adult human female. "Women" is the plural form, referring to more than one adult human female.
Difference Between Woman and Women
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Woman" is utilized in English to denote a singular, adult human female. Contrarily, "Women" specifically indicates the plural, referring to multiple adult human females at once.
The word "Woman" highlights one individual, focusing on her particular attributes or actions. The term "Women," however, encompasses a group, referring to shared characteristics or collective actions of multiple females.
The term "Woman" can be used to highlight individual achievements, characteristics, or instances. "Women" draws attention to collective accomplishments or characteristics shared among a group of females.
In discussing gender issues, "Woman" might be used to illustrate an individual’s experience or viewpoint. Conversely, "Women" is applied to describe issues, experiences, or perspectives relevant to the female population at large.
In literature and narratives, "Woman" may be employed to build depth around a singular character. Alternatively, "Women" might denote a collective or group, marking social trends or common experiences among them.
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Comparison Chart
Number
Singular
Plural
Refers to
One adult female
Multiple adult females
Example Usage
A woman walked by.
Several women walked by.
Grammatical Use
Used when referring to one female
Used when referring to two or more females
Pronunciation
/ˈwʊmən/
/ˈwɪmɪn/
Compare with Definitions
Woman
A female person associated with a particular activity or occupation.
She is a prominent woman in science.
Women
Plural form of adult human females.
Women around the world demand equality.
Woman
An adult female human being characterized by maturity.
The neighbor is a kind woman.
Women
Multiple individuals of the female gender.
The seminar is aimed at empowering women.
Woman
A woman is an adult female human. Prior to adulthood, a female human is referred to as a girl (a female child or adolescent).
Women
Several female human beings.
Women of different ages gathered for the event.
Woman
An adult female human.
Women
A group term indicating more than one woman.
The women in the family are all doctors.
Woman
Women considered as a group; womankind
“Woman feels the invidious distinctions of sex exactly as the black man does those of color” (Elizabeth Cady Stanton).
Women
A collective term for adult females.
Women in the workplace face unique challenges.
Woman
An adult female human belonging to a specified occupation, group, nationality, or other category. Often used in combination
An Englishwoman.
Congresswoman.
A saleswoman.
Women
Plural of woman.
Woman
A female servant or subordinate.
Woman
A wife.
Woman
A female lover or sweetheart. See Usage Notes at chairman, female, lady, man.
Woman
An adult female human.
Woman
(collective) All female humans collectively; womankind.
Woman
A female person, usually an adult; a (generally adult) female sentient being, whether human, supernatural, elf, alien, etc.
Woman
A wife (or sometimes a fiancée or girlfriend).
Woman
A female person who is extremely fond of or devoted to a specified type of thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
Woman
A female attendant or servant.
Woman
To staff with female labor.
Woman
(transitive) To make effeminate or womanish.
Woman
(transitive) To furnish with, or unite to, a woman.
Woman
(transitive) To call (a person) "woman" in a disrespectful fashion.
Woman
Of or relating to a woman/women; female.
Woman
An adult female person; a grown-up female person, as distinguished from a man or a child; sometimes, any female person.
Women are soft, mild pitiful, and flexible.
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman.
I have observed among all nations that the women ornament themselves more than the men; that, wherever found, they are the same kind, civil, obliging, humane, tender beings, inclined to be gay and cheerful, timorous and modest.
Woman
The female part of the human race; womankind.
Man is destined to be a prey to woman.
Woman
A female attendant or servant.
Woman
To act the part of a woman in; - with indefinite it.
Woman
To make effeminate or womanish.
Woman
To furnish with, or unite to, a woman.
Woman
An adult female person (as opposed to a man);
The woman kept house while the man hunted
Woman
Women as a class;
It's an insult to American womanhood
Woman is the glory of creation
Woman
A human female who does housework;
The char will clean the carpet
Woman
A female person who plays a significant role (wife or mistress or girlfriend) in the life of a particular man;
He was faithful to his woman
Woman
An adult human female.
The woman smiled warmly.
Woman
A term specifying gender, distinct from a man.
The woman excels in her professional life.
Woman
A female member of society with specific qualities.
She is a woman of integrity.
Common Curiosities
How is "Woman" pronounced?
"Woman" is pronounced /ˈwʊmən/.
What is the pronunciation of "Women"?
"Women" is pronounced /ˈwɪmɪn/.
Can "Woman" and "Women" be used interchangeably?
No, "Woman" is singular, and "Women" is plural, so usage depends on the number being referred to.
Can "Woman" refer to any female human being?
Typically, "Woman" refers to an adult female, not a girl.
When should I use "Women"?
Use "Women" when referring to two or more adult female individuals.
Are "Woman" and "Women" used differently in different contexts?
Generally, the usage rules apply universally, but connotations might vary based on cultural or contextual factors.
How should I use "Woman" in a sentence?
"Woman" should be used when discussing a single, adult female, e.g., "The woman is a doctor."
Is "Women" used in formal contexts?
Yes, "Women" can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Can "Woman" imply maturity?
Yes, "Woman" typically implies an adult, and therefore, a level of maturity.
What does "Woman" mean?
"Woman" refers to a single adult human female.
How is "Women" defined?
"Women" is defined as the plural form of "woman," referring to multiple adult human females.
How do I know when to use "Woman" vs. "Women"?
Use "Woman" when referring to one individual and "Women" for multiple individuals.
Why do "Woman" and "Women" have different vowel sounds?
The difference in vowel sounds helps distinguish between singular and plural forms in spoken English.
Is "Women" always about gender?
Primarily yes, as "Women" directly pertains to adult female human beings.
Is there a possessive form for "Woman" and "Women"?
Yes, “Woman’s” and “Women’s” are the possessive forms for “Woman” and “Women,” respectively.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
