noun
vixen
VIHK-suhn
Vixen (noun) means a female fox. Example: “The vixen led her cubs back to the den at dusk.”
noun
1
A female fox.
"The vixen led her cubs back to the den at dusk."
2
An informal, often dated term for a fierce, quarrelsome, or sharp-tongued woman.
"She played a scheming vixen in the soap opera."
How to use vixen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA female fox, or (informally) a bold, feisty woman.
When to use it
The "feisty woman" sense is informal and can carry either a playful or a negative tone depending on context.
Common pairings
sly vixen
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Word forms
- Plural
- vixens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ led her cubs back to the den at dusk.
Etymology
From Middle English fixen, ultimately from Old English fyxen, "female fox" — the fox/vixen -f/v- swap comes from southern English dialects.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “vixen” mean?
The word “vixen” means a female fox. In plain terms, a female fox, or (informally) a bold, feisty woman.
How do you pronounce “vixen”?
“Vixen” is pronounced VIHK-suhn (/ˈvɪk.sən/ in IPA).
How do you use “vixen” in a sentence?
Here is “vixen” used in a sentence: “The vixen led her cubs back to the den at dusk.”
What part of speech is “vixen”?
“Vixen” is a noun.
Where does the word “vixen” come from?
The word “vixen” comes from Old English. From Middle English fixen, ultimately from Old English fyxen, "female fox" — the fox/vixen -f/v- swap comes from southern English dialects.
How many meanings does “vixen” have?
“Vixen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female fox.
