-ette

1. a noun suffix occurring originally in loanwords from French, where it has been used in a variety of hypocoristic formations ( brunette; cigarette; coquette; etiquette; rosette ); as an English suffix, -ette forms diminutives ( kitchenette; novelette; sermonette ), distinctively feminine nouns ( majorette; usherette ), and names of imitation products ( leatherette ).

-ette

suffix forming nouns

1. small

   kitchenette

   cigarette

2. female

   suffragette

   majorette

3. (esp in trade names) imitation

   Leatherette

Gender Note

English nouns in which the suffix -ette designates a feminine role or identity have been perceived by many people as implying inferiority or insignificance: bachelorette; drum majorette; farmerette; suffragette; usherette. Of these terms, only drum majorette —or sometimes just majorette —is still widely used, usually applied to one of a group of young women who perform baton twirling with a marching band. A woman or man who actually leads a band is a drum major. Baton twirler is often used instead of ( drum ) majorette. Farmer, suffragist, and usher are applied to both men and women, thus avoiding any trivializing effect of the -ette ending. -enne, -ess, -trix.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ette¹

From French, feminine of -et noun suffix; -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ette¹

from French, feminine of -et

Example Sentences

The Bachelor/ette also has social consequences, said Littlejohn.

From The Daily Beast

But he does believe The Bachelor/ette is missing an economic opportunity.

From The Daily Beast

Clarice remarked, "The 'ette' is so small we can save steps by being within hand's reach of everything, no matter where we stand."

From Project Gutenberg

The great event of the summer was the arrest of the noted chiefs and raiders, Set-t'aite, Set-gya and do-ette, "Big-tree."

From Project Gutenberg

Corn-wal-lis turned back, and marched first to Rich-mond, and then to Will-iams-burg, while La-fay-ette kept close in his rear.

From Project Gutenberg

La-fay-ette gave chase the next day and took post nine miles from his camp.

From Project Gutenberg

In three days he had to leave the dear old place, and with his guests push on to join La-fay-ette, who was at Will-iams-burg.

From Project Gutenberg