Fishwife/ˈfɪʃwaɪf/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Literal Meaning Focuses on the actual job of selling fish, not personality traits. The fishwife set up her stall at dawn. Pro Tip 2/3Gender Specific Traditionally refers to females; rare to use for men. A fishwife has been operating at this market for decades. Pro Tip 3/3Historical Occupation It's an old term; modern use might sound outdated. My grandmother was a proud fishwife in her village.