Have you noticed that some job titles change with gender while others stay the same? Learning the masculine and feminine of professions and jobs helps you understand traditional titles, modern career vocabulary, and gender-neutral job names. This guide gives you more than 100 clear examples in one place.
Masculine and Feminine Profession Names at a Glance
Masculine | Feminine | Modern Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|
actor | actress | actor |
waiter | waitress | server |
host | hostess | host |
steward | stewardess | flight attendant |
chairman | chairwoman | chairperson |
salesman | saleswoman | salesperson |
policeman | policewoman | police officer |
businessman | businesswoman | businessperson |
spokesman | spokeswoman | spokesperson |
headmaster | headmistress | principal |
100+ Masculine and Feminine Job Titles
Common Everyday Jobs
No. | Masculine | Feminine | Gender-Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | waiter | waitress | server |
2 | salesman | saleswoman | salesperson |
3 | shopman | shopwoman | shop assistant |
4 | postman | postwoman | postal worker |
5 | milkman | milkmaid | milk delivery worker |
6 | barman | barmaid | bartender |
7 | landlord | landlady | property owner |
8 | househusband | housewife | homemaker |
9 | businessman | businesswoman | businessperson |
10 | fisherman | fisherwoman | fisher |
11 | deliveryman | deliverywoman | delivery worker |
12 | repairman | repairwoman | repair technician |
13 | cleaning man | cleaning woman | cleaner |
14 | watchman | watchwoman | security guard |
15 | doorman | doorwoman | door attendant |
16 | craftsman | craftswoman | craftsperson |
17 | anchorman | anchorwoman | news anchor |
18 | weatherman | weatherwoman | weather presenter |
19 | cameraman | camerawoman | camera operator |
20 | foreman | forewoman | supervisor |
21 | workman | workwoman | worker |
Professional and Office Careers
No. | Masculine | Feminine | Gender-Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|---|
22 | chairman | chairwoman | chairperson |
23 | spokesman | spokeswoman | spokesperson |
24 | manager | manager | manager |
25 | director | directress | director |
26 | administrator | administratrix | administrator |
27 | executor | executrix | executor |
28 | proprietor | proprietress | proprietor |
29 | author | authoress | author |
30 | editor | editress | editor |
31 | lawyer | lawyer | lawyer |
32 | doctor | doctor | doctor |
33 | surgeon | surgeon | surgeon |
34 | dentist | dentist | dentist |
35 | accountant | accountant | accountant |
36 | architect | architect | architect |
37 | consultant | consultant | consultant |
38 | secretary | secretary | secretary |
39 | receptionist | receptionist | receptionist |
40 | banker | banker | banker |
41 | employer | employer | employer |
42 | entrepreneur | entrepreneuse | entrepreneur |
Arts and Entertainment Professions
No. | Masculine | Feminine | Gender-Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|---|
43 | actor | actress | actor |
44 | poet | poetess | poet |
45 | singer | songstress | singer |
46 | dancer | danseuse | dancer |
47 | comedian | comedienne | comedian |
48 | hero | heroine | lead performer |
49 | host | hostess | host |
50 | master of ceremonies | mistress of ceremonies | emcee |
51 | sculptor | sculptress | sculptor |
52 | painter | paintress | painter |
53 | photographer | photographer | photographer |
54 | musician | musician | musician |
55 | artist | artist | artist |
56 | playwright | playwright | playwright |
57 | novelist | novelist | novelist |
58 | screenwriter | screenwriter | screenwriter |
59 | producer | producer | producer |
60 | filmmaker | filmmaker | filmmaker |
61 | announcer | announcer | announcer |
62 | model | model | model |
63 | magician | magician | magician |
Public Service and Government Jobs
No. | Masculine | Feminine | Gender-Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|---|
64 | policeman | policewoman | police officer |
65 | fireman | firewoman | firefighter |
66 | congressman | congresswoman | member of Congress |
67 | councilman | councilwoman | council member |
68 | assemblyman | assemblywoman | assembly member |
69 | statesman | stateswoman | political leader |
70 | alderman | alderwoman | council member |
71 | serviceman | servicewoman | service member |
72 | guardsman | guardswoman | guard |
73 | patrolman | patrolwoman | patrol officer |
74 | ombudsman | ombudswoman | ombudsperson |
75 | spokesman | spokeswoman | spokesperson |
76 | postmaster | postmistress | postmaster |
77 | headmaster | headmistress | principal |
78 | schoolmaster | schoolmistress | teacher |
79 | mayor | mayoress | mayor |
80 | governor | governess | governor |
81 | ambassador | ambassadress | ambassador |
82 | consul | consuless | consul |
83 | minister | ministress | minister |
84 | priest | priestess | clergy member |
Technical and Skilled Professions
No. | Masculine | Feminine | Gender-Neutral Title |
|---|---|---|---|
85 | electrician | electrician | electrician |
86 | mechanic | mechanic | mechanic |
87 | engineer | engineer | engineer |
88 | technician | technician | technician |
89 | programmer | programmer | programmer |
90 | developer | developer | developer |
91 | scientist | scientist | scientist |
92 | pilot | pilot | pilot |
93 | driver | driver | driver |
94 | carpenter | carpenter | carpenter |
95 | plumber | plumber | plumber |
96 | mason | mason | mason |
97 | blacksmith | blacksmith | blacksmith |
98 | goldsmith | goldsmith | goldsmith |
99 | tailor | seamstress | clothing maker |
100 | shoemaker | shoemaker | shoemaker |
101 | draftsman | draftswoman | drafter |
102 | lineman | linewoman | line worker |
103 | railwayman | railwaywoman | railway worker |
104 | signalman | signalwoman | signal operator |
105 | boatman | boatwoman | boat operator |
106 | seaman | seawoman | sailor |
107 | airman | airwoman | air force member |
108 | stuntman | stuntwoman | stunt performer |
109 | sportsman | sportswoman | athlete |
110 | huntsman | huntress | hunter |
Male and Female Titles with Different Words
Some profession names use completely different masculine and feminine words.
Masculine | Feminine | Modern Alternative |
|---|---|---|
tailor | seamstress | clothing maker |
barman | barmaid | bartender |
waiter | waitress | server |
headmaster | headmistress | principal |
steward | stewardess | flight attendant |
monk | nun | monastic |
priest | priestess | clergy member |
abbot | abbess | religious leader |
landlord | landlady | property owner |
househusband | housewife | homemaker |
Profession Names Ending in -ess
The ending -ess traditionally marks a feminine profession or role.
Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
actor | actress |
waiter | waitress |
host | hostess |
steward | stewardess |
poet | poetess |
author | authoress |
sculptor | sculptress |
director | directress |
proprietor | proprietress |
manager | manageress |
administrator | administratrix |
executor | executrix |
comedian | comedienne |
dancer | danseuse |
ambassador | ambassadress |
Many of these feminine forms now sound old-fashioned. Modern English usually uses the same job title for everyone.
Gender-Specific Titles Using Man and Woman
Some traditional job titles contain man or woman.
Masculine | Feminine | Neutral Form |
|---|---|---|
businessman | businesswoman | businessperson |
salesman | saleswoman | salesperson |
policeman | policewoman | police officer |
chairman | chairwoman | chairperson |
spokesman | spokeswoman | spokesperson |
congressman | congresswoman | member of Congress |
cameraman | camerawoman | camera operator |
fireman | firewoman | firefighter |
fisherman | fisherwoman | fisher |
sportsman | sportswoman | athlete |
councilman | councilwoman | council member |
deliveryman | deliverywoman | delivery worker |
repairman | repairwoman | repair technician |
anchorman | anchorwoman | news anchor |
weatherman | weatherwoman | weather presenter |
Gender-Neutral Professions and Jobs
Many professions use the same title for all genders.
- teacher
- doctor
- nurse
- lawyer
- engineer
- scientist
- writer
- journalist
- artist
- musician
- manager
- accountant
- architect
- dentist
- chef
- designer
- programmer
- electrician
- mechanic
- pilot
- driver
- farmer
- baker
- barber
- photographer
- librarian
- pharmacist
- consultant
- researcher
- translator
Examples:
- She is an experienced engineer.
- He works as a nurse.
- They hired a new manager.
- My sister is a pilot.
Outdated and Preferred Modern Job Titles
Outdated or Gendered Title | Preferred Modern Title |
|---|---|
policeman | police officer |
fireman | firefighter |
chairman | chair or chairperson |
salesman | salesperson |
stewardess | flight attendant |
cameraman | camera operator |
postman | postal worker |
businessman | businessperson |
spokesman | spokesperson |
waitress | server |
authoress | author |
poetess | poet |
actress | actor |
headmistress | principal |
repairman | repair technician |
workman | worker |
foreman | supervisor |
seaman | sailor |
sportswoman | athlete |
ombudsman | ombudsperson |
Examples of Profession Names in Sentences
- The actor performed on stage.
- The actress received an award.
- A waiter brought our drinks.
- The waitress served the meal.
- My uncle is a policeman.
- Her aunt worked as a policewoman.
- The company appointed a new chairperson.
- Our flight attendant helped every passenger.
- Sara is a skilled engineer.
- Ahmed works as a nurse.
- The salesperson explained the product.
- A firefighter entered the building.
- The camera operator recorded the event.
- Our server brought the menu.
- The spokesperson answered the questions.
Quiz on Masculine and Feminine Jobs
- What is the feminine form of actor?
- What is the masculine form of waitress?
- What is the feminine form of chairman?
- What is the neutral form of policeman?
- What is the feminine form of steward?
- What is the neutral form of salesman?
- What is the feminine form of host?
- What is the neutral form of fireman?
- What is the feminine form of poet?
- What is the modern alternative to cameraman?
Answers:
- Actress
- Waiter
- Chairwoman
- Police officer
- Stewardess
- Salesperson
- Hostess
- Firefighter
- Poetess
- Camera operator
Frequently Asked Questions
What are masculine and feminine professions?
Masculine profession names traditionally refer to men, while feminine profession names refer to women, such as waiter and waitress.
What is the feminine form of actor?
The traditional feminine form is actress, although actor is now widely used for all genders.
What is the feminine form of waiter?
The feminine form of waiter is waitress. The gender-neutral word is server.
Is teacher masculine or feminine?
Teacher is a gender-neutral profession name. It can refer to a person of any gender.
Is doctor a masculine profession?
No. Doctor is a gender-neutral title used for both men and women.
What is the feminine form of policeman?
The feminine form is policewoman, while the preferred neutral title is police officer.
What is the feminine form of chairman?
The feminine form is chairwoman. Modern alternatives include chair and chairperson.
Should we use gendered job titles?
Use gendered titles when relevant, but modern professional English usually prefers gender-neutral job titles.
What are examples of gender-neutral jobs?
Teacher, doctor, engineer, lawyer, artist, manager, scientist, chef, pilot, and writer are gender-neutral job titles.
Conclusion
Masculine and feminine profession names include pairs such as actor and actress, waiter and waitress, and host and hostess. However, modern English often prefers neutral titles such as actor, server, police officer, chairperson, and flight attendant. These words sound clear, professional, and suitable for every gender.
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