Is it offensive to call women "females"?

Answer 1

Woman is a social concept; female is a biological concept.
Woman usually refers to a female human, while female can refer to a female of any species.
This is why it is possible to use the word 'female" in an offensive way when referring to a woman, if you use a certain tone of voice you can imply that she is just an animal. This is why one answerer said it's ok unless you say it like Mr. Worf does. (a Star Trek character with a very indimidating face, who comes from a race with rough manners).
Usually, though, referrring to a woman as female is harmless and not offensive.
This is an interesting question, everyone knows that it is usually ok to call a woman "female" unless you use a certain tone of voice, but not many can say why. As an Aspie, I tend to take things very literally, this is why I can detect and explain why.
PS if you are learning English as a second language, tihs is a very good question, not stupid at all. Some people forget that there are people here from all over the world.
And please do not listen to the preson who said calling women dame or broad is "music to their ears". NO! That's just their sick idea of a joke. These terms are VERY offensive, and shame on anyone who would tell this to an ESL student as a joke!

Answer 2

No. It is offensive to call any female over the age of 18 a 'girl'. Now I remember when it was just the other way. To call an adult female a 'woman' was the same as calling her a whore. Times have changed. And much for the better!

Answer 3

How would that be offensive? I mean we are "females" and of course guys are "males". If you think me calling you a "male" is offensive then in your position it would be offensive to call a woman "female". I don't think it is though! I know it is kind of confusing!

Answer 4

I would have to say yes.
If one uses this word it shows lack of respect and has a condescending feel to it.
one should use The Female Gender/ The Human Female Species or just simply women. Females would probably refer to an animal or species.

and of course it depends who you are talking too at that moment! If it's a joke or in a professional setting.
again this is only my opinion.

thank you for the question

Answer 5

Okay from what I know women are called females and men are called males. They only get offensive if you call them males or tomboys. That is when they would probably want to kick your ***.

Answer 6

well, it kind of depends on the context. If you're talking about a girl and you say "the female" that's kind of obnoxious, but if the word fits into the sentence than there's no reason for it to be considered offensive.

Answer 7

of all the facist racist sexist and offensive terms flying around and your worried about calling someone a female? Dont worry calling women females is fine

Answer 8

That depends. But "woman" definitely narrows that female to being of the human species! Ladies, women, girls, Ms. Mrs. are all acceptable used in appropriate contexts with all due respect of a gentleman to a lady. Female humans takes two words to say whereas women wraps it up in one word.
It is proper to say Please, Thank you, Yes Ma'am, and to open the door for her as well. This practice is respectful behavior towards family, friends, stangers, and most of all your special someone. Smart men practice chivalry and romance in every culture.

Answer 9

I do not see anything wrong with the term,just like the name implies females are from males as mentioned in Genesis.

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:21-24
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Answer 10

Honestly, from men I do find it a bit irritating. It feels like it's lowering women down to just a gender, like animals.

Used as normal wordage it's fine, but not when it's in an objectifying manner. When able to call someone a woman, or by her own name...make either of those the first choice...