Meaning & use
alpha women
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Meaning
nounplural
Women who are dominant, assertive, and successful, often seen as leaders in social or professional groups.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular is 'alpha woman'. It often appears with 'the' to refer to a type.
Patterns
- alpha women in something
- an alpha woman
In the corporate world, alpha women are often praised for their decisive leadership.
The novel features several alpha women who challenge traditional gender roles.
Some people use the term 'alpha women' to describe those who naturally take charge in group settings.
Word forms
| singular | alpha woman |
|---|
Common combinations
- alpha women in business
- Alpha women in business often mentor younger employees.
- a group of alpha women
- A group of alpha women founded the networking club.
- alpha women tend to
- Alpha women tend to speak up in meetings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dominant women
- Focuses on control and influence, but lacks the connotation of success and leadership that 'alpha women' often carries.
- powerful women
- Emphasizes strength and influence, but may not imply the social dominance associated with 'alpha women'.
Opposites
Word family
- alpha male noun
- The male equivalent, referring to a dominant man.
Commonly confused: alpha women or alpha female?
alpha women vs alpha female
In animal behavior, 'alpha female' is the dominant female in a group; in human contexts, 'alpha woman' is more common.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'alpha women' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Alpha women' is plural, so it takes a plural verb like 'face'. Option A uses 'an' with a plural, B has a singular verb, and D treats the phrase as a singular term.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alpha women”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.