What does workingwoman mean?
A workingwoman is a woman who has paid employment, whether she works in an office, a factory, a profession, or another occupation. The term is formed directly from “working” and “woman” and can refer to a working mother, an employee, a professional, or a tradesperson. In present-day usage it is generally neutral, although earlier discussions sometimes contrasted working women with homemakers, reflecting historical assumptions about gender and domestic labor. The one-word form “workingwoman” is especially common in British English; American usage more often writes “working woman” as two words. Both are standard and interchangeable in meaning. The compound is useful when the focus is on the combination of gender and employment status, as in discussions of workplace equality, income, or the experiences of women workers. It can also sound emphatic when used in historical or political contexts, where the visible role of women in paid work is important to the subject.
nounA woman who is employed in paid work, especially as a regular worker.
- A woman who performs paid employment or pursues a career.
"She became a successful workingwoman in the technology industry."
"As a workingwoman and single mother, she managed demanding work and family responsibilities."
"The exhibition celebrated the lives of workingwomen in the industrial districts."
Both plural spellings are standard; the closed form is especially common in British usage.
"The organization provides practical support for workingwomen in rural communities."
The one-word “workingwoman” is a linguistic landmark in English’s long tradition of gender-specific occupational labels.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of workingwoman
Workingwoman is an English compound formed from the present participle “working” and the noun “woman.” The compound became established during the 19th century, a period in which explicit gender distinctions in occupational vocabulary were common. “Working” derives from the Germanic word represented by Old English “wyrcan,” while “woman” continues Old English “wifman,” originally meaning a female person; both elements have cognates in other Germanic languages.
How workingwoman is actually used
The closed form “workingwoman” is especially associated with British usage, although it is also understood in American English, where “working woman” is usually written as two words. Historically, the term sometimes formed part of a contrast with homemakers, but modern usage generally simply identifies a woman who works outside the home. It can sound slightly formal, emphatic, or historical in some contexts.
Easily confused with workingwoman
Both forms have the same meaning; “working woman” is the common two-word spelling in American usage, while “workingwoman” is the traditional closed compound.