According to good ol' Google, Alpha can be defined as “denoting the dominant animal or human in a particular group." Although this term has mostly been applied to males, don’t be mistaken -- females hold this role just as often. If you’ve ever wondered if you are an alpha female, here are some ways to help you make your determination.

You’re Intimidating

Through the grape vine, of course, you often hear that people, who you have never actually spoken to, find you intimidating. At first, you may take offense to this, but then you remember what others say actually reveals more about them than you. So, you turn it back around by responding with, “Well, what is going on with them that is making them feel intimidated by me?” The alpha female doesn’t take responsibility for other's insecurities.

You Remind Everyone of Their Mom

This has to be the most awkward part of being an alpha female, especially in the romance department. While this may seem like one of the highest compliments a guy can give you, because boys tend to hold a very special place in their hearts for their moms, it isn’t. This is because, in reality, you know the mother-and-son dynamic won’t work in a romantic relationship, and you’re angry that boys always want you to love them like their moms do or should. Sometimes, you find yourself doing it for them, but you start to hate yourself for it. Once you notice what’s really happening, you quickly retreat, knowing this boy can never be your partner in crime. Boys that look at you like a mom will always want you to be a place they can return to for love and support no matter what they do, while not offering the love and support you need in an equal proportion. Moms have a hierarchy over their sons, and that dynamic doesn’t work in romantic relationships -- ever. Alpha females need an equal partner, not a child.

You Can be a Lone Wolf Even in a Pack

You tend to stand alone a lot of the time, even when you’re in a crowd. Sometimes, you may isolate yourself and struggle with a touch of depression. You struggle to feel understood because, deep down, you know you’re different from other girls, and this can cause you to carry some misplaced guilt or shame. Your personality naturally makes you a leader -- the person people look to for direction. These qualities make it difficult to lean on others, but when you find the people you can lean on, you never let them go. You love hard, but you love selectively.

You Redefine Strength

The number one compliment you receive is “Wow, you’re so strong,” and you absolutely hate it. It actually makes you cringe, because people rarely understand your strength before they compliment it. People usually call you strong because they know you can handle life on your own, and handle it well. But, deep down, you know your real strength arises when you know can do it all on your own, despite not wanting to do it all. You're at your strongest when you realize it's actually better not to do everything alone. You just struggle with turning your deepest desire into reality because people assume you’re strongest on your own. With that, the vicious cycle of strength starts again and again. People seem unable to understand that the alpha female’s need is to be independent and equally dependent, with wanting nothing to do with other's unhealthy codependency.

You’re "Too Real”

This one still gets me. People may call you passionate, real or honest in a surprising manner when you share your opinions and thoughts. I mean, sure, you may not always choose the best place or use tactfulness when voicing personal opinions, but you’re confused why honesty, in whatever form, is not the norm. Other alphas, male or female, may also call your “realness” rude because they sense how you're challenging them in the same way they’d challenge someone. Your voice can be very disarming. While an alpha female is not intimidated by society's lack of expectation or acceptance in regard to her "realness," she still knows when to keep her opinions to herself. Alpha females know when to speak up, take risks and also self-preserve in necessary silence for later domination.

Mother Nature's Gift

Yes, nature has her way of letting you know that she's gifted you with the role of alpha female. There's this phenomenon that takes place among females. When they spend significant amounts of time together, like being roommates or best friends, their menstrual cycles synchronize. Whoever's menstrual cycle the other female(s) adjust to, she is the God-given alpha female. Alpha female-ness is quite literally biological. Some of us are just born to lead the pack.