Hello, young writers! A person who writes beautiful poems is a poet. In the past, a special word was used for a female poet: poetess. What is the word for a male poet, and which word should we use today? Let's find out.
Poetess Opposite Gender
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Poetess vs. Poet: A Clear Comparison
This table explains the terms for people who write poetry.
| Term | Gender | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Poetess | Female | A female writer of poetry (older term). |
| Poet | Male / Neutral | A male writer of poetry; also used for any gender. |
What is a Poetess?
A poetess is a woman who writes poems. This term was common in the past but is considered old-fashioned and is rarely used today.
What is a Poet?
A poet is a person who creates poetry. It is the masculine equivalent of 'poetess' and, more importantly, it is the modern, standard word used for any poet, regardless of their gender.
Modern Usage: 'Poet' is for Everyone
Today, it is best to use the word 'poet' for anyone who writes poetry. Calling a female poet a 'poetess' can sometimes imply that her work is less serious than a male 'poet'. To show equal respect, the single, strong term 'poet' is used for all. Great female poets like Sarojini Naidu are referred to as poets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Poetess Masculine Gender
The masculine gender of 'Poetess' is Poet.
Poetess Opposite Gender
The opposite gender of a Poetess is a Poet. Poetess is a female gender term and Poet is a male gender term (which is also used as a neutral term).
Male equivalent of Poetess
The male equivalent of a Poetess is a Poet.
Practice Exercises
Worksheet: Choose the Correct Term
Fill in the blanks with the correct term: poet or poetess.
- Rabindranath Tagore was a famous Indian _______.
- The word _______ is an old-fashioned term for a female poet.
- Today, we call any person who writes good poetry a great _______.
Discover More Feminine Genders
Curious about other Male/Female Genders? Dive into our collection!