femme fatale

noun

femme fa·​tale ˌfem-fə-ˈtal 

ˌfam-,

-ˈtäl 

plural femmes fatales ˌfem-fə-ˈtal(z) 

ˌfam-,

-ˈtäl(z)

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

• enchantress
• seductress
• siren
• temptress

Examples of femme fatale in a Sentence

an actress who was often cast as cynical, sexy femmes fatales

Recent Examples on the Web

Part-time investigators can’t resist a femme fatale’s desperate pleas (or ample pocketbook). —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 May 2025

The reboot, directed by Chip ‘n Dale’s Akiva Schaffer (age 47), is being shepherded by Seth MacFarlane and Paramount, with Liam Neeson in the role of bumbling cop Frank Drebin — the part originated by Leslie Nielsen in 1988’s The Naked Gun — and Pamela Anderson as the femme fatale. —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025

Another Simple Favor, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime, promises another fashionable ride with Stephanie the gumshoe and Emily the seductive femme fatale. —Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 1 May 2025

Martini stories operate in a glamorous world where bad guys live in lairs, femmes fatales wait at every backgammon table, and our hero drives fast cars and seldom takes off a tuxedo. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, disastrous woman

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for femme fatale

• duopoly
• melancholy
• pulmonale
• triticale
• akali
• bengali
• diwali
• loblolly
• naphtali
• nepali
• secale
• somali