For parents of young learners
Masculine and feminine words for kids
Gender words are a regular part of English grammar in Classes 1 to 5. Here are the 4 kinds of gender, 50 masculine and feminine pairs grouped by family, people and animals, and simple ways to practise them by speaking.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 14 November 2026
Free printable kit for your child's class: speaking worksheets and a speech planner.Get it freeGood to know: Many job words such as actor, author, doctor and teacher are now commonly used for everyone. Your child's school book may still ask for the pairs below, so it helps to know both.
The 4 kinds of gender
| Kind | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Words for males | boy, father, king, lion |
| Feminine | Words for females | girl, mother, queen, lioness |
| Common | Words for either male or female | child, friend, teacher, parent, baby |
| Neuter | Words for things that are neither | table, book, pencil, tree |
Family words (14 pairs)
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| father | mother |
| son | daughter |
| brother | sister |
| husband | wife |
| uncle | aunt |
| nephew | niece |
| grandfather | grandmother |
| grandson | granddaughter |
| boy | girl |
| man | woman |
| gentleman | lady |
| sir | madam |
| father-in-law | mother-in-law |
| brother-in-law | sister-in-law |
People and titles (22 pairs)
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| king | queen |
| prince | princess |
| emperor | empress |
| duke | duchess |
| baron | baroness |
| sultan | sultana |
| hero | heroine |
| host | hostess |
| waiter | waitress |
| actor | actress |
| god | goddess |
| monk | nun |
| bridegroom | bride |
| headmaster | headmistress |
| landlord | landlady |
| Mr | Mrs |
| lad | lass |
| wizard | witch |
| policeman | policewoman |
| salesman | saleswoman |
| milkman | milkmaid |
| schoolboy | schoolgirl |
Animals and birds (14 pairs)
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| lion | lioness |
| tiger | tigress |
| horse | mare |
| bull | cow |
| cock | hen |
| drake | duck |
| gander | goose |
| ram | ewe |
| buck | doe |
| peacock | peahen |
| he-goat | she-goat |
| fox | vixen |
| stag | hind |
| cob | pen |
Change the gender: 5 example sentences
- The king rode a horse. → The queen rode a mare.
- My uncle is a good actor. → My aunt is a good actress.
- The boy fed the cock. → The girl fed the hen.
- His nephew met the headmaster. → Her niece met the headmistress.
- The prince saw a lion. → The princess saw a lioness.
How to practise at home
- Say a masculine word and have your child reply with the feminine word, then swap.
- Sort 10 picture cards into masculine, feminine, common and neuter.
- Change the gender in 3 sentences from your child's reader.
- Describe a family photo using 5 family gender words.
Questions parents ask
What are masculine and feminine words?
Masculine words name males, such as father, king and lion. Feminine words name females, such as mother, queen and lioness.
What is common gender?
Common gender words can be used for males or females, such as child, friend, teacher, parent and baby.
What is neuter gender?
Neuter gender words name things that are neither male nor female, such as book, table, pencil and tree.
More free guides
Want expert help? See our spoken english classes for kids: live 1:1 online classes for UKG to Grade 8.