adventuress

[ ad-ven-cher-is ]

noun

1. a woman who schemes to win social position, wealth, etc., by unscrupulous or questionable means.
2. a woman who is an adventurer.

adventuress

/ ədˈvɛntʃərɪs /

noun

1. a woman who seeks adventure, esp one who seeks success or money through daring exploits
2. a woman who seeks money or power by unscrupulous means
3. a speculator

Gender Note

What's the difference between adventuress and adventurer? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventuress¹

First recorded in 1745–55; adventur(er) + -ess

Example Sentences

Like a great tabloid headline, The Adventuress by N.D. Coleridge promises a lurid story that spares no detail.

From The Daily Beast

The Adventuress By N.D. Coleridge A social-climbing seductress sleeps her way to the top of society.

From The Daily Beast

Her third book, about the world-traveling adventuress, actress and yoga evangelist Indra Devi, will be published by Knopf in 2012.

From The Daily Beast

Mme. Vauquer sought her eagerly, but was never able to obtain a trace of this adventuress.

From Project Gutenberg

There was, for instance, no faithful old family butler, no sinuous foreign adventuress.

From Project Gutenberg

Maria the dancer was romantic, but Maria the adventuress was a whole leap beyond that into the realm of fantasy.

From Project Gutenberg

She had, in her high moments, believed herself an adventuress whose poise and plans nothing could unbalance.

From Project Gutenberg

And we also suspect caves and bandits, Louise knew exactly the effect this would have on Grace, the adventuress.

From Project Gutenberg