What is Feminine Gender? Definition and Example List
Understanding masculine and feminine gender nouns in English grammar helps you score better in school exams and speak or write clearly. One common question is: What is the feminine gender of ‘fox’? Learning such word pairs is essential for exams, competitive English tests, and everyday speaking and writing.
| Masculine Gender | Feminine Gender | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Vixen | The vixen is caring for her cubs. |
| Horse | Mare | The mare ran across the field. |
| Lion | Lioness | The lioness hunts at night. |
| Tiger | Tigress | The tigress protects her cubs. |
| Goose (M) | Goose (F), Gander (M) | The goose is gentle; the gander is noisy. |
Feminine Gender in English Grammar
In English grammar, a noun is of the feminine gender if it refers to a female animal, person, or role. For example, the word ‘vixen’ is the feminine gender form of ‘fox’. Recognising these forms helps you use accurate words in writing and exams.
Rules for Identifying Feminine Gender Nouns
- Some feminine forms are made using the suffix ‘-ess’ (e.g., actor – actress).
- Many animal names have a special feminine word (fox – vixen, lion – lioness).
- Certain nouns are irregular and change completely (drake – duck, gander – goose).
- Some nouns use “female/woman” or “male/man” before the word if needed (female doctor).
Common Masculine and Feminine Gender Pairs Table
| Masculine Gender | Feminine Gender |
|---|---|
| Fox | Vixen |
| Gander | Goose |
| Lion | Lioness |
| Tiger | Tigress |
| Stag | Hind |
| Colt | Filly |
| Horse | Mare |
| Drake | Duck |
| Peacock | Peahen |
| Bull | Cow |
Feminine Gender Examples in Sentences
- The vixen is the mother of the young cubs.
- The mare looks after her foal with care.
- The lioness hunts for her pride.
- The tigress lives deep in the forest.
Why Learn Feminine Gender Nouns?
Knowing masculine and feminine gender words helps you answer grammar questions correctly in school, competitive exams, and quizzes. You will also sound clear and accurate in speech and writing, especially if you use English daily.
Special List: Feminine Gender of Animal Nouns
| Animal | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Fox | Vixen |
| Horse | Stallion | Mare |
| Lion | Lion | Lioness |
| Tiger | Tiger | Tigress |
| Chicken | Rooster | Hen |
| Sheep | Ram | Ewe |
| Duck | Drake | Duck |
| Deer | Buck/Stag | Doe/Hind |
How to Remember Feminine Gender Forms
- Memorise common pairs using tables or flashcards.
- Note irregular feminine forms that do not follow a rule (e.g., fox – vixen).
- Practise with fill-in-the-blank or matching exercises.
- Use feminine nouns in daily sentences to strengthen memory.
Practice: Change to Feminine Gender (Quick Exercise)
- Fox → _____ (Answer: Vixen)
- Lion → _____ (Answer: Lioness)
- Stallion → _____ (Answer: Mare)
- Peacock → _____ (Answer: Peahen)
- Gander → _____ (Answer: Goose)
Common Mistakes with Feminine Gender Nouns
Some students mistakenly use “fox” for both male and female. Remember, “fox” is masculine and “vixen” is feminine. Watch for irregular pairs (gander – goose, stag – hind), as they do not use common patterns like “-ess.”
Explore More on English Grammar
- For a complete overview, visit Gender in English Grammar.
- To prepare for exams, try Masculine and Feminine Gender List.
- For more basics, check Basics of Grammar.
The feminine gender of the noun ‘fox’ is ‘vixen’. Learning such gender pairs sharpens your grammar for exams, speaking, and writing. Review charts, practise examples, and use gender words correctly for better marks and clearer communication. At Vedantu, we make grammar learning simple and effective for every learner.
FAQs on Feminine Gender in English Grammar: Easy Rules and Examples
1. What is feminine gender and example?
In English grammar, feminine gender refers to nouns representing female beings or creatures. For example, the feminine form of "actor" is "actress."
2. What is feminine gender in English grammar?
Feminine gender in English grammar classifies nouns denoting female entities, roles, or animals. Examples include woman, lioness, and queen. Understanding this grammatical concept is crucial for accurate writing and exam success.
3. What are 10 examples of masculine and feminine gender?
Here are 10 examples of masculine and feminine noun pairs: boy/girl, man/woman, king/queen, father/mother, son/daughter, brother/sister, uncle/aunt, nephew/niece, horse/mare, lion/lioness. These demonstrate how gender is assigned to nouns in English.
4. What is feminine gender class 4?
In Class 4 English grammar, feminine gender refers to words that represent female beings or things. Learning to identify masculine and feminine forms improves writing skills and understanding of basic grammar rules. Examples are actress (feminine of actor), duck (masculine and feminine are the same).
5. What is the feminine gender of fox?
The feminine gender of "fox" is "vixen." This is an example of an irregular feminine noun form. Remember this for grammar tests!
6. What is the feminine gender of gander?
The feminine equivalent of "gander" is "goose." This highlights that not all feminine noun forms follow the same rules; some are irregular.
7. What is the feminine gender of colt?
The feminine form of "colt" (a young male horse) is "filly." Knowing these distinctions in animal genders is important for both grammar and vocabulary development.
8. How do you change masculine nouns to feminine?
Changing masculine nouns to feminine forms often involves adding suffixes like "-ess" (prince/princess). However, many are irregular (fox/vixen) or use completely different words. Practicing with examples will help you master this aspect of English grammar.
9. What are some examples of feminine gender nouns?
Examples of feminine gender nouns include woman, girl, mother, sister, daughter, queen, lioness, vixen, mare (female horse), and hen. These words are all used to describe female beings or animals.
10. What are the rules for identifying feminine gender?
Identifying the feminine gender of nouns involves understanding that some nouns form the feminine gender by adding suffixes (e.g., adding -ess to create words like actress). Others are irregular (goose/gander) or have entirely different words for the male and female forms. Memorizing common pairings is key for accuracy in grammar.
11. Why is it important to learn about noun genders?
Understanding noun genders is vital for several reasons. It improves grammar accuracy, aids in clear communication, and is often tested in exams, potentially impacting grades. The ability to correctly use masculine and feminine forms demonstrates a strong command of the English language.
