geisha

American

[gey-shuh, gee-] / ˈgeɪ ʃə, ˈgi- /

noun

plural

geisha, geishas

a Japanese woman trained as a professional singer, dancer, and companion for men.

geisha British

/ ˈɡeɪʃə /

noun

a professional female companion for men in Japan, trained in music, dancing, and the art of conversation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

geisha Cultural

A Japanese woman who is trained and paid to provide entertainment and amusing company for men.

Etymology

Origin of geisha

1890–95; < Japanese, equivalent to gei arts (< Chinese ) + -sha person (< Chin)

Vocabulary lists containing geisha

Japanese History - Middle School and High School

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Japanese History - Introductory

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She has also starred in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", the 2005 period drama "Memoirs of a Geisha" and the 2018 romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians".

From Reuters • Apr. 18, 2023

I will always pay good money for good coffee and Big Shoulders' Gesha — sometimes called Geisha — coffee from Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda is some of the best.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2021

The list includes two of PG&E’s former chief executives, Anthony Earley and Geisha Williams, who were paid millions of dollars during their reigns.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2021

The replacement for Smith will be the fifth CEO since Geisha Williams took the helm in March 2017.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2020

Those who saw her in "The Geisha" cannot fail to recall the fascinating, quizzical squint that was continually getting into the mischievous Mollie's eyes.

From Famous Prima Donnas by Strang, Lewis Clinton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023