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

"This vixen had taken up residence in an electricity substation after being pushed out of her parental territory," says Withyman.

From BBC

The high-pitched wails heard in winter are usually made by vixens as they try to summon a mate.

From BBC

Waters’ muse Divine, the drag performer who was transfixing on screen whether playing a criminal vixen or a put-upon suburban mom, passed away in 1988.

From Los Angeles Times

A new study in mice, but with implications for people and published Wednesday in the journal Nature, provides a clearer picture of the cellular glitches that turn us into silver foxes and vixens.

From New York Times