English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

empress

EHMP-ruhs

Empress (noun) means a female ruler of an empire. Example: “The empress ruled for over thirty years.”

noun
1
A female ruler of an empire.
"The empress ruled for over thirty years."
2
The wife of an emperor.
"The emperor and empress attended the ceremony together."

How to use empress

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA female ruler of an empire, or an emperor's wife.

Easily confused with

Word forms

empresses plural, Empresses plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “empress” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ ruled for over thirty years.

Etymology

From Old French empereriz, from Latin imperatrix, the feminine form of "emperor."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “empress” mean?

The word “empress” means a female ruler of an empire. In plain terms, a female ruler of an empire, or an emperor's wife.

How do you pronounce “empress”?

“Empress” is pronounced EHMP-ruhs (/ˈɛmpɹəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “empress” in a sentence?

Here is “empress” used in a sentence: “The empress ruled for over thirty years.”

What part of speech is “empress”?

“Empress” is a noun.

Where does the word “empress” come from?

The word “empress” comes from Latin. From Old French empereriz, from Latin imperatrix, the feminine form of "emperor.".

Is “empress” a common word?

“Empress” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “empress” have?

“Empress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female ruler of an empire.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial