femme fatale
/ˌfam fəˈtɑːl
/noun (plural femmes fatales pronounced same)
An attractive and seductive woman, especially one who will ultimately cause distress to a man who becomes involved with her: a femme fatale who plays one man off against another in pursuit of money...
- Elijah expected a beautiful mirage of glittering, ethereal beauty, the ultimate femme fatale, but now he knew not what to think.
- She is the femme fatale whose seductive voice, glamorous hair, and voluptuous body Rita Hayworth lent to the screen in 1946.
- Yet to many observers these are the femmes fatales of the markets - seductive but essentially destructive temptresses.
Origin
Early 20th century: French, literally 'disastrous woman'.