noun

priestess

PREES-tehs

Priestess (noun) means a woman who holds religious duties and authority within a faith or cult. Example: “The high priestess led the ancient ritual at dawn.”

noun

A woman who holds religious duties and authority within a faith or cult.

"The high priestess led the ancient ritual at dawn."

"In Greek mythology, priestesses served at the temple of Delphi."

How to use priestess

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe female counterpart of a priest — a woman with religious authority or ceremonial duties.

Common pairings

high priestess priestess of a temple

Word forms

priestessed past tense, priestesses plural, priestesses singular

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The high _____ led the ancient ritual at dawn.

Etymology

Formed from priest plus the feminine suffix -ess.

Frequently asked questions

What does “priestess” mean?

The word “priestess” means a woman who holds religious duties and authority within a faith or cult. In plain terms, the female counterpart of a priest — a woman with religious authority or ceremonial duties.

How do you pronounce “priestess”?

“Priestess” is pronounced PREES-tehs (/ˈpristɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “priestess” in a sentence?

Here is “priestess” used in a sentence: “The high priestess led the ancient ritual at dawn.”

What part of speech is “priestess”?

“Priestess” is a noun.