What does minx mean?
A minx is chiefly a disparaging word for a woman characterized as disagreeable, spiteful, flirtatious, or provocative. Because the term targets a woman specifically, it can sound harsh or misogynistic, and it is unsuitable for neutral description. Its literal older meaning is a female dog, particularly a mongrel or feisty dog. The word once carried more of a teasing, often playful force when applied to women, but modern usage is generally more negative. A minx may be imagined as sharp-tongued, difficult to manage, and eager to attract attention, although the precise connotation depends on context and tone. The expression is not normally used in formal or impartial writing. It is best reserved for creative contexts or explicitly disparaging speech, where its gendered insult is understood rather than presented as an objective description.
nounA term for a female dog, especially one regarded as a mongrel. By extension, it is a derogatory term for a disagreeable, spiteful, or flirtatious woman.
- A disagreeable, spiteful, or flirtatious woman; a disparaging and potentially sexist term.
- A female dog, especially one regarded as a mongrel.
"The yard belonged to a wiry little minx who answered to nobody but the sound of a whistle."
"His sharp-tongued sister behaved like a minx whenever anyone questioned her."
"The farmer knew the little minx would slip through the hedge and raid the henhouse."
The regular plural is “minxes.” In modern usage, this generally refers to women characterized as minxes.
"The two minxes competed for the attention of the entire village."
Once a literal female dog, “minx” became a sharper insult when applied to a woman.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does minx come from?
The word comes through Middle English minx from Old English minsce, meaning “female dog.” It was later extended figuratively to describe a disagreeable or contemptible woman, with the sense of a female mongrel influencing the word’s unpleasant connotations. Older spellings include minsce and mynx, and the word has a close historical relationship to forms used for a female dog in other Germanic languages.
How minx is actually used
The word is now used chiefly as an insulting label for a woman and may carry a sexist or misogynistic tone. Although it can be used jokingly among people who are comfortable with its gendered character, it is not a neutral term. Its older literal sense, a female dog, is comparatively uncommon.