noun
abbess
AB-ihs
Abbess (noun) means a woman who heads a convent of nuns, holding the same authority over her community that an abbot holds over monks. Example: “The abbess welcomed the new novices into the convent.”
noun
1
A woman who heads a convent of nuns, holding the same authority over her community that an abbot holds over monks.
"The abbess was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean."
"The abbess welcomed the new novices into the convent."
How to use abbess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe female head of a convent — the equivalent of an abbot but for nuns.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like abbess.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- abbesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ welcomed the new novices into the convent.
Etymology
From Old French abeesse, from Late Latin abbatissa, the feminine form of abbas ("abbot").
Synonyms
View more →
prioress
mother superior
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “abbess” mean?
The word “abbess” means a woman who heads a convent of nuns, holding the same authority over her community that an abbot holds over monks. In plain terms, the female head of a convent — the equivalent of an abbot but for nuns.
How do you pronounce “abbess”?
“Abbess” is pronounced AB-ihs (/ˈæb.ɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “abbess” in a sentence?
Here is “abbess” used in a sentence: “The abbess welcomed the new novices into the convent.”
What part of speech is “abbess”?
“Abbess” is a noun.
Where does the word “abbess” come from?
The word “abbess” comes from Late Latin. From Old French abeesse, from Late Latin abbatissa, the feminine form of abbas ("abbot").
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include abbess:
