geisha

[gey-shuh, gee-]

noun

plural

geisha, geishas 

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

geisha

/ ˈɡeɪʃə /

noun

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

geisha

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of geisha¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of geisha¹

C19: from Japanese, from gei art + sha person, from Ancient Chinese ngi and che

Example Sentences

The genre of Japanese prints called ukiyo-e, meaning “images of the floating world,” first arose in the 17th century and was often distinguished by city scenes, sumo wrestlers and geishas.

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Osaka was second and Kyoto, with its narrow streets, geishas and towering temples, was third, with around 12 million.

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To Frances O’Meara, that made her mother a sort of modern-day geisha, “someone always knowing her audience, always knowing how to communicate, knowing how to relate.”

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One didn’t feel any real connection between the lovers, but maybe that, too, was wanted, given that the callous American sailor treats marriage to a geisha during a shore leave in Nagasaki as a lark.

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Others say that tourists sometimes disrespect local customs by, say, chasing after geishas to photograph them or eating while walking, a behavior that is considered rude in Japan.

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