Macquarie Dictionary editors to review definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’, ‘male’ and ‘female’ | The Oz

The editors of the Macquarie Dictionary are considering the definitions of “man” and “woman” in light of shifting modern usage.

It comes after the Cambridge Dictionary quietly updated its definition of “man” and “woman” to include anyone who “identifies as male/female” regardless of their sex at birth.

A spokesperson for Macquarie Dictionary said “the editors are looking at ensuring the entries for woman and man are reflective of Australian English usage” as well as various related terms, including female, male, girl, and boy.

The current Macquaire Dictionary definitions of “man” include “the human species”, “the human race”,  “a male human being (distinguished from woman)” and “an adult male person (distinguished from boy)”, while the definitions for “woman” are “a female human being (distinguished from man)” and “an adult female person (distinguished from girl)”.

Source: Macquarie Dictionary editors to review definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’, ‘male’ and ‘female’ | The Oz