vixen

[ vik-suhn ]

noun

1. a female fox.
2. an ill-tempered or quarrelsome woman.

   Synonyms: termagant, harpy, virago, scold, shrew

3. a woman considered to be sexually attractive.

vixen

/ ˈvɪksən /

noun

1. a female fox
2. a quarrelsome or spiteful woman

Derived Forms

• ˈvixenishness, noun
• ˈvixenishly, adverb
• ˈvixenly, adverbadjective
• ˈvixenish, adjective

Other Words From

• vixen·ish vixen·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vixen¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; southern late Middle English, replacing earlier northern Middle English fixen, from Old English fyxe, feminine of fox fox (compare fyxen “pertaining to a fox,” Old High German fuhsin “vixen”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of vixen¹

C15: fixen; related to Old English fyxe, feminine of fox ; compare Old High German fuhsīn

Example Sentences

While still relatively unknown stateside, Bellucci is a reigning vixen in France and her native Italy.

From The Daily Beast

The tabloid battle between the sweet blonde and the brunette vixen played out like an issue of Betty and Veronica on crack.

From The Daily Beast

The notorious vixen has been in her share of controversies before—and had even supported the occasional dictator.

From The Daily Beast

Kelly Rowland: “Kisses Down Low” Kelly Rowland is revealing her inner sexy vixen… and we like it!

From The Daily Beast

Well, Virginia, you should have heard the shock and outrage: how dare a magazine lure virgins into vixen-hood!

From The Daily Beast

Moreover, we have v for f in E. vixen (for fixen), and in Southern English generally.

From Project Gutenberg

A bad-tempered woman is described as a "vixen," or female fox; a lazy person as a "drone," or the bee which does no work.

From Project Gutenberg

The lady, in her living hours,Was the most charming vixen That ever this poor sex of oursDelighted to play tricks on.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he told how Vixen had from the first behaved to him, and what things had happened in consequence, the last more particularly.

From Project Gutenberg

Coming to herself in a few minutes, Vixen told a confused story of how the bear had frightened her.

From Project Gutenberg