womenfolk

plural noun

wom·​en·​folk ˈwi-mən-ˌfōk How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
variants or less commonly womenfolks
: women

Examples of womenfolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As a young girl, Zelma runs wild and free in the natural surroundings of Sakhalin Island, despite the disapproving whispers of the womenfolk around her. Alissa Simon, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023 Those limits tightened even further in 1805 when the Reverend George Austen died, leaving his womenfolk—Jane, Cassandra, and their mother—living on their small personal incomes, supplemented by gifts from the remaining Austen men, at least one of whom was wealthy. Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2023 Ms Varshney is far from alone in believing that the 80% of Indians who are Hindu face a concerted, predatory effort to entice their womenfolk away from the faith. The Economist, 30 Sep. 2017 Once their families are fed, the womenfolk sell the rest of their catch from dawn to dusk from hot, dusty roadside stalls by Highway 57, a major trade route through Mexico. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2017 This meant that the womenfolk wouldn’t have to rub elbows with stinky and suspicious males, and that diners would henceforth be viable date night locations (Danny and Sandy’s misadventure notwithstanding). Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, 31 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'womenfolk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of womenfolk was in 1729

Dictionary Entries Near womenfolk

Cite this Entry

“Womenfolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/womenfolk. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

womenfolk

noun plural
wom·​en·​folk ˈwim-ən-ˌfōk How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
variants also womenfolks
: women especially of one family or group

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