femme fatale
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for femme fatale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A glamorous and mysterious woman who uses her charm to draw men into danger, ruin or disgrace, especially as a stock character in novels and films.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use femme fatale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral in film and literary criticism, where it names a recognised character type. Applied to a real person it can sound dated or dismissive, since it puts the blame on her allure.
Etymology
A direct borrowing from French, literally 'fatal woman' or 'deadly woman'. The plural in careful use is femmes fatales.
Full origin of femme fatale →Frequently asked questions
What does femme fatale literally mean?
It is French for fatal or deadly woman. The phrase entered English as a label for a character whose attractiveness proves disastrous for the men drawn to her.
What is the male equivalent of a femme fatale?
The usual term is homme fatal, though it is far rarer and often explained when used. English writers more often reach for descriptions such as a dangerous charmer or a seductive villain.
Is femme fatale an insult?
It is neutral when describing a character in film noir or a novel, where it names a recognised type. Used of a real woman it tends to carry judgement, implying she deliberately misleads men.