townswoman

[ tounz-woom-uhn ]

noun

, plural towns·wom·en.

1. a female native or inhabitant of a town.
2. a female native or inhabitant of one's own or the same town.

Gender Note

See -woman.

Word History and Origins

Origin of townswoman¹

First recorded in 1675–85; town + 's ¹ + woman

Example Sentences

The verdant costume for just one townswoman involves 900 yards of ombré-dyed organza ribbon.

From New York Times

He catches some marlins, beds a grateful townswoman when he needs a bit of extra cash and drinks beers at a kitschy bar.

From The Guardian

In “Beasts of No Nation,” there are two or three small speaking parts for women: a mother, who appears at the beginning; a crazy townswoman; the madam of a brothel; an aid worker who appears at the end.

From Salon

Other Townswoman Don’t like that Belle keeps referring to our home as “this poor provincial town.”

From Washington Post

Militants entering a narrow lane in a vehicle are flummoxed by an eccentric townswoman who blocks their path.

From US News

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer