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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

vixens plural

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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.

Origin: Old English

Related words

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial