noun
Uncommon
countess
KOWN-tihs
Countess (noun) means the wife of a count or earl, or a woman who holds that rank in her own right. Example: “The countess hosted a grand ball at her estate.”
noun
1
The wife of a count or earl, or a woman who holds that rank in her own right.
"Elizabeth Millicent Leveson-Gower is 24th Countess of Sutherland; her son will be the 25th Earl."
"The countess hosted a grand ball at her estate."
"The countess donated her late husband's library to the village school."
"Visitors to the castle can see the portrait of the countess in the hall."
How to use countess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA noblewoman equal in rank to a count or earl.
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Word forms
- Plural
- countesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ hosted a grand ball at her estate.
Etymology
From Old French contesse, from Latin comitissa, the feminine form of comes ("count").
Frequently asked questions
What does “countess” mean?
The word “countess” means the wife of a count or earl, or a woman who holds that rank in her own right. In plain terms, a noblewoman equal in rank to a count or earl.
How do you pronounce “countess”?
“Countess” is pronounced KOWN-tihs (/ˈkaʊntɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “countess” in a sentence?
Here is “countess” used in a sentence: “The countess hosted a grand ball at her estate.”
What part of speech is “countess”?
“Countess” is a noun.
Where does the word “countess” come from?
The word “countess” comes from Latin. From Old French contesse, from Latin comitissa, the feminine form of comes ("count").
Is “countess” a common word?
“Countess” is an uncommon word in modern English.
