Generally, "woman" is the better and more respectful term to use when referring to adult human females.
Here's a breakdown:
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"Female" as an adjective: "Female" is perfectly acceptable and appropriate when used as an adjective (e.g., "female doctor," "female athlete").
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"Female" as a noun: Using "female" as a noun to refer to a person can be dehumanizing. It reduces a person to their biological sex rather than acknowledging their personhood.
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"Woman" as a noun: "Woman" is the preferred noun because it explicitly recognizes the individual as a human being. It acknowledges their identity beyond just their biological sex.
| Term | Part of Speech | Connotation | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | Adjective | Neutral, descriptive | Describing sex as a characteristic (e.g., female reproductive organs) |
| Female | Noun | Can be dehumanizing, impersonal | Avoid using when referring directly to a person |
| Woman | Noun | Respectful, acknowledges personhood | Referring to an adult human female |
Therefore, while "female" isn't inherently wrong, "woman" is generally the more appropriate and respectful choice when referring to people.
