Internet character labels

Written by a Woman

What does Written by a Woman mean?

Written by a Woman is an internet compliment for a man or male character who seems unusually emotionally intelligent, attentive, respectful, or romantic, as if imagined by a woman writing her ideal partner.

Written by a Woman used in a sentence

“He remembered her coffee order, asked about her sister's surgery, and planned a picnic, so her friends decided he was written by a woman.”

This example shows the term in context rather than treating the definition as a literal word-for-word substitution. Slang often depends on tone, audience, and the conversation around it.

How do you use Written by a Woman?

The phrase started literally, praising male characters actually written by women, and then broadened into a label for any man who seems to embody what women wish men were like. It is the flip side of jokes about clumsy 'written by a man' female characters, and it is often used with affectionate exaggeration.

Where did Written by a Woman come from?

The label spread on TikTok and Twitter in the early 2020s, with early examples including Timothée Chalamet's Laurie in the 2019 film Little Women, adapted from Louisa May Alcott's novel. A student report counted tens of millions of posts under the #menwrittenbywomen hashtag by 2024.

Common variations of Written by a Woman

men written by women

The plural hashtag form used for collections of examples.

Written by a Woman: frequently asked questions

Does 'written by a woman' mean a woman literally wrote the character?

Sometimes, but usually not. It has become a general compliment for men who seem thoughtful and emotionally aware.

Can real people be 'written by a woman'?

Yes. Fans often apply it to celebrities and to real partners who show unusual care and attention.

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