vixen

[ vik-suhn ]

noun

1. a female fox.
2. an ill-tempered or quarrelsome woman.

   Synonyms: termagant, harpy, virago, scold, shrew

3. a woman considered to be sexually attractive.

vixen

/ ˈvɪksən /

noun

1. a female fox
2. a quarrelsome or spiteful woman

Derived Forms

• ˈvixenishly, adverb
• ˈvixenly, adverbadjective
• ˈvixenishness, noun
• ˈvixenish, adjective

Other Words From

• vixen·ish vixen·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vixen¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; southern late Middle English, replacing earlier northern Middle English fixen, from Old English fyxe, feminine of fox fox (compare fyxen “pertaining to a fox,” Old High German fuhsin “vixen”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of vixen¹

C15: fixen; related to Old English fyxe, feminine of fox ; compare Old High German fuhsīn

Example Sentences

To prepare for her role as a calculating vixen in the miniseries “Fresno,” a satire of television’s popular evening soaps, Teri Garr had to force herself to do something she had never done before.

From Los Angeles Times

Like Vixen, Merseyside Police dogs Ike and Zoe were "hit by bricks thrown by the unruly crowd" in Southport, Peta wrote in the letter to Sir Mark Rowley.

From BBC

Staffordshire PD Vixen was one of several to be injured as disorder swept the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

From BBC

It’s a book about your wife, Edie, it’s a book about your kids and your grandkids, and about your dog, Vixen.

From Slate

He discussed them over coffee at the kitchen table in his Washington apartment, with his guide dog, Vixen, looking on attentively.

From New York Times