Meaning & use
female equivalent
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Meaning
phrasecountable
a female person or animal that has the same role, job, or function as a particular male person or animal.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a female equivalent' or 'the female equivalent'. Often followed by 'of' or 'to'.
Patterns
- the female equivalent of someone
- a female equivalent to someone
- someone's female equivalent
In many countries, a queen is the female equivalent of a king.
She is often called the female equivalent of a famous male scientist.
The female equivalent of a waiter is a waitress, though many now prefer 'server'.
Common combinations
- the female equivalent of
- The female equivalent of a duke is a duchess.
- a female equivalent to
- Is there a female equivalent to the Pope?
- find a female equivalent
- It's hard to find a female equivalent for that role.
- the female equivalent role
- She took on the female equivalent role in the company.
Synonyms and how they differ
- counterpart
- More general; can refer to a person or thing of either sex, and is used in formal contexts.
- female counterpart
- Very similar, but often used for objects or organizations as well as people.
Opposites
Commonly confused: female equivalent or feminine equivalent?
female equivalent vs feminine equivalent
This is not a standard phrase; 'feminine' describes qualities, not a person's role. Use 'female equivalent' for a person.
Practice
Complete the sentence: In the film, the actress plays the ___ of the male hero.
Choose one answer.
'Female equivalent' is the correct phrase for a female person with the same role. 'Feminine equivalent' is wrong because 'feminine' refers to qualities, not a person. 'Female equivalence' is a noun meaning the state of being equal, not a person. 'Equivalent female' is not a standard phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “female equivalent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.