femme
Americannoun
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femmes
plural
adjective
noun
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a woman or wife
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a lesbian who adopts a feminine role in a relationship
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of femme
First recorded in 1930–35; from French: literally “woman”; see origin at feme
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Ploughing a similar furrow is Israel's Noam Bettan, whose heart has been shredded by a femme fatale called Michelle.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
In her 2024 Tiny Desk Concert for NPR, Roan is surrounded by seven femme musicians, each wearing red lipstick, blue eyeshadow, a pink button-down or a red party dress.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
While many international productions of “Carmen” have historically minimized Spain by centering its titular femme fatale, Hindoyan said this version puts the Mediterranean country back in the picture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026
Will you be surprised to learn he carries with him a dark secret, or that his estranged wife, as opposed to the radiant daughter of the boat’s skipper, is one doozy of a femme fatale?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026
"The femme de chamber," an attendant calls out.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
People who engage in romantic relationships with men — women, femmes, gay men, etc. — are socialized to be ever-forgiving, to have infinite patience and compassion.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
Black trans femmes have been and currently are at the forefront of social liberation movements, while experiencing unique forms of targeted discrimination, oppression, and violence.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 14, 2024
And I want to make sure that we don’t dismiss the work done by all the women and femmes in the space, who have been fighting for you guys.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 29, 2023
"When I look out to the audience and I see women or femmes connecting to it, I think maybe you know," Sawayama says.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2023
Well! what say you: is the maxim right, y-a-t-il femmes et femmes?
From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
