femme fatale
Femme fatale (noun) means 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. Example: “Barbara Stanwyck plays the classic femme fatale, all cigarette smoke and bad intentions.”
How to use femme fatale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA beautiful woman in a story who leads men into trouble.
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.
Keep the French pronunciation and the French plural: two such characters are femmes fatales, with the s on both words but silent in speech.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Barbara Stanwyck plays the classic _____, all cigarette smoke and bad intentions.
Etymology
A direct borrowing from French, literally 'fatal woman' or 'deadly woman'. The plural in careful use is femmes fatales.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for femme fatale
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of femme fatale?
"femme fatale" (noun) means 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.