maneater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maneater" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person, typically a woman, who is perceived as being dangerously seductive or who exploits others for personal gain, often in romantic or sexual contexts. Example: "She was known as a maneater, leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Cue the metaphorical version of the female high school experience, some of it obvious, all of it fun: Jennifer the literal maneater – and her monthlies really are murder; the voraciousness of a young women's newly-discovered sexual/bloodletting appetites and the utter inability of the men around her to quench them.

The Guardian - Film

The new collection, Don't Think That I'm Bad: Margaretha Zelle Before Mata Hari (1902-1904), reveals that this so-called "maneater" who danced at La Scala in Milan, the Opera in Paris and private salons across Europe actually had an active dislike of sex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'd lay it at the door of Warners' garbled marketing, which has failed to freshen up the hashtag immediacy of the original film's premise: Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell playing "psycho", "maneater" and "tool" respectively.

The Guardian - Film

Meanwhile Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy) are still circling each other romantically, while maneater Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) is torn between two lovers.

The Guardian - Film

It's left to Great White Dope Brody to deliver the fishy finisher, exploding the lethal maneater into chunks of bloody chum by igniting a compressed scuba tank stuck in its maw.

The Guardian - Film

She was a "maneater", a "football groupie".

The Guardian

They're the 70s act who made it in the 80s; the singles artists (third only to Michael Jackson and Madonna that decade in sales with the likes of Private Eyes, Maneater and Out of Touch) who were really an albums band.

The Guardian - Music

She holds back Maneater until the encore, which finally gets the half-full arena dancing.

The Guardian - Music

It tells of Bernie Gladhart, sent to Brooklyn by his maneater wife, who detects a bestseller, Indelible Smudge, in the story of Wright, a Wall Street worker and a rapist so successful that 300 fall victim before his capture.

The Guardian - Books

Recalling the stripped back feel of Adams's Love is Hell album, the original's OTT, almost campy, feel – meant to reflect the public's perception of Swift as some sort of maneater – has been stripped out and twisted into a bruised love song.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was then he snapped up Harris's novel Red Dragon, which became the 1986 film Manhunter, and introduced cinema to maneating serial killer Dr Lektor (Brian Cox).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to the literal meaning of an animal that eats humans, specify the species for clarity, such as "man-eating shark".

Common error

Avoid using "maneater" lightly, as it carries strong negative connotations and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women. Consider the context and whether the term accurately reflects the situation without being unnecessarily offensive.

Linguistic Context

The term "maneater" functions primarily as a noun, often used to describe a person characterized by their exploitative or predatory behavior in relationships. This is highlighted in Ludwig's examples, where it is used to describe characters in films, books, and real-life situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Music

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Film

10%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "maneater" is a noun used to describe a person, often a woman, who is perceived as dangerously seductive or exploits others in relationships. While grammatically correct, it carries strong negative connotations and should be used cautiously. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in news, media, music, and books, but it's important to consider alternatives like "femme fatale" or "seductress" for more nuanced descriptions. The word is valid and usable in written English, according to Ludwig AI, but awareness of its implications is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

femme fatale

Emphasizes the dangerous and alluring nature of the woman.

seductress

Highlights the seductive skills and charm employed.

vamp

A more old-fashioned term for a seductive and manipulative woman.

gold digger

Focuses on the exploitation of others for financial gain, especially in relationships.

opportunist

Highlights the exploitative nature of the person, taking advantage of situations.

schemer

Focuses on the manipulative planning involved in exploiting others.

player

Emphasizes a lack of commitment and emotional detachment in relationships.

heartbreaker

Focuses on the emotional damage caused to those involved with the person.

siren

Highlights the irresistible and dangerous allure, often leading to downfall.

deceiver

Focuses on the misleading and untruthful nature of the person's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "maneater" in a sentence?

You can use "maneater" to describe a person, typically a woman, who is perceived as dangerously seductive or who exploits others, often in romantic or sexual contexts. For example, "She was portrayed as a ruthless "femme fatale", a real maneater who left a trail of broken hearts."

What are some alternatives to "maneater"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "femme fatale", "seductress", "gold digger", or "heartbreaker" to convey similar meanings with varying nuances.

Is it appropriate to use the term "maneater" in formal writing?

The term "maneater" is generally considered informal and may carry negative connotations. It's best to avoid using it in formal writing unless you are specifically discussing the term itself or quoting someone who used it. In formal contexts, more neutral and descriptive terms are preferable.

What's the origin of the term "maneater"?

The term "maneater" originally referred to animals that prey on humans. Over time, it has been adopted to describe people, typically women, who are perceived as exploiting or taking advantage of others, particularly in romantic relationships. It is a metaphorical extension of the animalistic sense of preying on others.