noun
marquess
MAH-kwihs
Marquess (noun) means a nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl. Example: “The marquess inherited the estate from his late father.”
noun
1
A nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl.
"The marquess inherited the estate from his late father."
How to use marquess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA British noble rank, between duke and earl.
Common mistake
Despite the "-ess" ending, a marquess is male; the female equivalent is a marchioness.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- marquesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ inherited the estate from his late father.
Etymology
A variant of marquis; unusually for English, marquess ends in "-ess" yet refers to a man, since the "-ess" here comes from the French spelling rather than marking the feminine.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for marquess
See all rhymes for marquess →Frequently asked questions
What does “marquess” mean?
The word “marquess” means a nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl. In plain terms, a British noble rank, between duke and earl.
How do you pronounce “marquess”?
“Marquess” is pronounced MAH-kwihs (/ˈmɑɹ.kwɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “marquess” in a sentence?
Here is “marquess” used in a sentence: “The marquess inherited the estate from his late father.”
What part of speech is “marquess”?
“Marquess” is a noun.
Where does the word “marquess” come from?
The word “marquess” comes from French. A variant of marquis; unusually for English, marquess ends in "-ess" yet refers to a man, since the "-ess" here comes from the French spelling rather than marking the feminine.
