Look up any word in the dictionary and you're sure to find various definitions - that's the beauty of the English lexicon.

However, there's one word beginning with the letter 'F' (no, not that one) that has long caused controversy, confusion and debate regarding its meaning, terminology and context in the 21st Century.

The word? Feminism.

Now, one swift flick through the Oxford Dictionary and you'll learn the word 'feminism' is defined as, 'the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes'.

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Sounds simple enough right? Unfortunately, no.

Understanding of the term 'feminism' has been a contentious issue for centuries, with many men and women misinterpreting the fight for gender equality as man-hating, a championing of female superiority, solely reserved to define women, and aligned to white, bra-optional heathens. Basically the female version of 'Misogyny' or 'Female Chauvinsim.'

As a result of this confusion, it has led many women in the media to redefine the term, with celebrities like Zendaya describing a feminist as 'a person who believes in the power of women just as much as they believe in the power of anyone else' and Chrissy Teigen to define it as 'having the power to do whatever the f*ck you want'.

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Of course, men and women can define feminism in any way they like, decorate it with unicorn stickers, parrot feathers and dipped in chocolate sprinkles for all we care, as long as at the crux of it, we're all on the same page that women are equal to men.

One woman who has decided to weigh in on the on-going definition of the term is German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who was recently asked on whether she considered herself a feminist.

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Earlier this week, the Chancellor – who was a research scientist with a doctorate in physical chemistry before entering politics attended a panel discussion in Berlin – took a moment to consider whether she does, in fact, call herself a 'feminist'.

After a moment's hesitation, she revealed: 'I am not afraid of it [the label]. If you think that I am one - please, vote on it. But I don't want to adorn myself with these feathers.'

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She added: 'To be honest the history of feminism is one with which I have common ground but also differences, and I don't want to embellish myself with a title I don't have.'

I am not afraid of it [the label]. If you think that I am one - please, vote on it.

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands interrupted to say: 'I just want that all women have freedom of choice and opportunities, that they can grab and be happy and proud of themselves.'

To that, Merkel responded: 'If that is a feminist, I am a feminist.'

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Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure Merkel is a feminist but, in using language such as 'embellish' and 'adorn' to describe women and men who proudly wear the 'badge' of feminism, delivers quite the convoluted and questionable message when it comes to her beliefs on equality between the sexes.

Feminism is a belief, not a Christmas decoration, Merks.

Look, no one likes labels but, when it's one that positively means championing gender equality, we'll happily 'adorn' our bodies and minds in it.

And, so should you, Ange, without the hesitation.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.