womenfolk

plural noun

wom·​en·​folk ˈwi-mən-ˌfōk How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
variants or less commonly womenfolks
ˈwi-mən-ˌfōks How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
old-fashioned
: women
The womenfolk had spent all day paring apples, threading them on strings preparing to dry them for the winter.—Esther Forbes

Examples of womenfolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Years ago, the business of entertaining mostly did fall on the shoulders of the womenfolk. — Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024 Once their families are fed, the womenfolk sell the rest of their catch from dawn to dusk from hot, dusty roadside stalls by Highway 57, a major trade route through Mexico. — Phil Davison, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2017 As a young girl, Zelma runs wild and free in the natural surroundings of Sakhalin Island, despite the disapproving whispers of the womenfolk around her. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023 In an exclusive interview, the director shares his views on exploring social issues, especially those affecting the womenfolk in his country, through the populist genre of horror films. — Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Ms Varshney is far from alone in believing that the 80% of Indians who are Hindu face a concerted, predatory effort to entice their womenfolk away from the faith. — The Economist, 30 Sep. 2017 This meant that the womenfolk wouldn’t have to rub elbows with stinky and suspicious males, and that diners would henceforth be viable date night locations (Danny and Sandy’s misadventure notwithstanding). — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, 31 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of womenfolk was in 1729

Rhymes for womenfolk

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Browse Nearby Words

women's studies
womenfolk
womenkind
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Cite this Entry

“Womenfolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/womenfolk. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

womenfolk

plural noun
wom·​en·​folk ˈwim-ən-ˌfōk How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
variants also womenfolks
-ˌfōks How to pronounce womenfolk (audio)
: women especially of one family or group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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