hostess
HOHS-tuhs
Hostess (noun) means a woman who welcomes and entertains guests, or who runs an event. Example: “The hostess showed us to our table at the restaurant.”
noun
1
A woman who welcomes and entertains guests, or who runs an event.
"The hostess showed us to our table at the restaurant."
"As hostess, she made sure every guest felt included."
2
A female flight attendant (dated usage).
"The air hostess brought us drinks shortly after takeoff."
How to use hostess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA woman who hosts guests, seats diners at a restaurant, or (older usage) works as a flight attendant.
When to use it
"Air hostess" is now dated; "flight attendant" is the standard modern term.
Common pairings
restaurant hostess
air hostess
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Word forms
- Plural
- hostesses
- Third person singular
- hostesses
- Past tense
- hostessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ showed us to our table at the restaurant.
Etymology
From Old French ostesce, formed from oste ("host") with a feminine ending.
Synonyms
View more →
stewardess
hostress
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “hostess” mean?
The word “hostess” means a woman who welcomes and entertains guests, or who runs an event. In plain terms, a woman who hosts guests, seats diners at a restaurant, or (older usage) works as a flight attendant.
How do you pronounce “hostess”?
“Hostess” is pronounced HOHS-tuhs (/ˈhoʊstɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “hostess” in a sentence?
Here is “hostess” used in a sentence: “The hostess showed us to our table at the restaurant.”
What is another word for “hostess”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hostess” include hostress.
What part of speech is “hostess”?
“Hostess” is a noun.
Where does the word “hostess” come from?
The word “hostess” comes from Old French. From Old French ostesce, formed from oste ("host") with a feminine ending.
Is “hostess” a common word?
“Hostess” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “hostess” have?
“Hostess” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a woman who welcomes and entertains guests, or who runs an event.
