soubrette

[ soo-bret ]

noun

1. a maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, especially one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue.
2. an actress playing such a role.
3. any lively or pert young woman.

soubrette

/ suːˈbrɛt /

noun

1. a minor female role in comedy, often that of a pert lady's maid
2. any pert or flirtatious girl

Derived Forms

• souˈbrettish, adjective

Other Words From

• sou·brettish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soubrette¹

1745–55; < French: lady's maid < Provençal soubreto, derivative of soubret affected, ultimately derivative of Old Provençal sobrar < Latin superāre to be above

Word History and Origins

Origin of soubrette¹

C18: from French: maidservant, from Provençal soubreto, from soubret conceited, from soubra to exceed, from Latin superāre to surmount, from super above

Example Sentences

The soubrette had a lank young body neatly attired in a store suit and shirt-waist.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought that the frozen surface of the American woman thawed on the stratum soubrette.

From Project Gutenberg

And, like Brighella, written comedy blended her with the fixed characters of drama under the name of the soubrette.

From Project Gutenberg

She was even more successful in comedy, and no better soubrette had been seen since the days of Madeleine Bjart.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Richland has a very pretty face, but she looks more like a soubrette or smart actress than a woman of fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artist
• character
• clown
• comedian
• entertainer
• performer
• player
• star
• villain