countess
Americannoun
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the wife or widow of a count in the nobility of Continental Europe or of an earl in the British peerage.
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a woman having the rank of a count or earl in her own right.
noun
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the wife or widow of a count or earl
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a woman of the rank of count or earl
Gender
What's the difference between countess and count? See -ess.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of countess
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English c(o)untesse, from Anglo-French; see origin at count 2, -ess
Explanation
A countess is a noblewoman, equal in status to an earl or a count. Countesses either inherit the title when they're born or gain it by marrying a noble. If a woman marries the Earl of Sandwich, she'll become a countess, although people directly addressing them will call them "Lord" and "Lady." Marrying a viscount or count is another way to gain the title of countess. The idea of such a title, and the word itself, may seem old-fashioned, but there are many countesses living today in England and Scotland. The word countess comes from count and its Latin root, comes, "companion to the emperor."
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.
In 2017, Epstein introduced Barrett to Nicole Junkermann, a German countess and entrepreneur who Epstein said in an email wanted to invest $100 million through JPMorgan.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
And when it comes to immortality, she's "not sure" she would want to share that with her countess character.
From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026
The dowager countess haunts the film, Fellowes says.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025
Moore’s strategic countess can only elevate her position and that of her family by using George, which she does without guilt.
From Salon • May 19, 2024
“You have heard of the stick and the carrot?” the countess went on.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
