femme fatale

noun

femme fa·​tale ˌfem-fə-ˈtal How to pronounce femme fatale (audio)
ˌfam-
-ˈtäl How to pronounce femme fatale (audio)
plural femmes fatales ˌfem-fə-ˈtal(z) How to pronounce femme fatale (audio)
ˌfam-
-ˈtäl(z)
Synonyms of femme fatalenext
1
: a seductive woman who lures men into dangerous or compromising situations
2
: a woman who attracts men by an aura of charm and mystery

Synonyms of femme fatale

Examples of femme fatale in a Sentence

an actress who was often cast as cynical, sexy femmes fatales
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.
Namasenda appeared on the cover of 2021’s Unlimited Ammo as a femme fatale straight out of The Matrix, a leather catsuit clinging to her body. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026 And like any good femme fatale, Maddy is given savvy at the expense of moral scruple. The Editors, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 In an echo of House of Cards, Mara’s Nancy is a femme fatale—impetuous, sexy, haunted. Judy Berman, Time, 18 Mar. 2026 This slick femme fatale thriller from director Rebecca Thomas finds DeHaan in fine form and and features a screenplay from Daniel Casey that’s lined with surprises. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for femme fatale

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, disastrous woman

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of femme fatale was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Femme fatale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/femme%20fatale. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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