What does vixen mean?
Vixen is a noun with two related uses. Its literal meaning is a female fox, especially the red fox; in this sense it is a straightforward zoological term, though it is less common in general speech than fox. Figuratively, a vixen is a woman portrayed as fierce, quarrelsome, spiteful, or difficult to control. This second meaning is generally disparaging and can carry a specifically misogynistic edge, so it is not an ordinary synonym for a strong-willed woman. The expression is somewhat literary and old-fashioned compared with words such as termagant or virago, but it remains recognizable and occasionally appears in discussions of stereotypical female characters. In its literal use, vixen suggests a wild, elusive animal and may convey cunning or independence without necessarily being negative. The word is especially interesting because it developed from an explicitly gendered form of fox and then acquired a sharply negative figurative sense. For that reason, its register depends heavily on context: the animal reference is descriptive, while the person reference is an insult.
nounA female fox. Figuratively, a woman characterized as fierce, quarrelsome, or spiteful, typically in a disparaging sense.
- A female fox.
- A fierce, quarrelsome, or spiteful woman, usually used disparagingly.
"The vixen was said to be the most elusive animal in the valley."
"The vixen was said to be the most elusive animal in the valley."
"The critic called the formidable director a vixen, but her colleagues regarded her as a forceful and effective leader."
The regular plural is vixens.
"The vixens raised their young at the edge of the forest."
A word for a female fox that grew teeth when applied to people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vixen come from?
The modern word developed from Middle English vixen, ultimately from Old English fyxen, meaning “female fox.” It was formed from fox with an old feminine suffix. The figurative sense for a fierce or spiteful woman developed later and was established in the 19th century.
Related word forms
How vixen is actually used
The literal zoological sense is neutral, although it is less common in general speech than fox. The figurative sense is a disparaging label and can carry a strongly misogynistic connotation; it is not a neutral synonym for a determined or strong-willed woman. It is also somewhat literary and old-fashioned compared with terms such as termagant and virago.