Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

duchess

American  
[duhch-is] / ˈdʌtʃ ɪs /

noun

  1. the wife or widow of a duke.

  2. a woman who holds in her own right the sovereignty or titles of a duchy.

duchess British  
/ ˈdʌtʃɪs /

noun

  1. the wife or widow of a duke

  2. a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right

"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

verb

  1. informal to overwhelm with flattering attention

"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

Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

  • duchesslike adjective

Etymology

Origin of duchess

1300–50; Middle English duchesse < Anglo-French, Old French, feminine derivative of duc duke; -ess

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.

Less of a trial to Muv were Pamela, who seemed happy with a rural life, and Deborah, who wound up a duchess.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

There is no legal mechanism to compel the former duchess to testify in the US.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Touted as "a girls' weekend like no other", Meghan will speak at a gala dinner, with VIP ticket holders to get front-row seats and a group photo with the duchess.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

You know I’m Sussex now,” the duchess replied.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

They were a duke and duchess, very important and wealthy, who had been cheated out of their estate by a political enemy and thrown into prison.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

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.