geisha

[ gey-shuh, gee- ]

/ ˈgeɪ ʃə, ˈgi- /

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noun, plural gei·sha, gei·shas.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of geisha

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

Words nearby geisha

Geiger-Müller threshold, Geiger-Müller tube, geiger tree, Geikie, Geisel, geisha, Geissler tube, geitonogamy, gel, Gela, gelada

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use geisha in a sentence

The event was pure pageantry, with women in geisha costumes, and a thousand of Shōriki’s employees chanting “Banzai!”
The Disneyfication of Atomic Power - Issue 107: The Edge|Jacob Darwin Hamblin|October 6, 2021|Nautilus
There are dozens of such “academies” in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with names such as “Geisha School” or “How to Be a Real Woman.”
Russia’s Gold Digger Academy|Peter Pomerantsev|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Japanese media mogul and his geisha entertainers—so they can hit as many bars as possible before dawn.
Bar-Hopping With the Kyoto Geisha|Liza Foreman|September 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Back to Alison and her friends who are suddenly wearing kimonos, holding fans and two of whom have ‘geisha’ make up on.
The Most Offensive Lyrics and WTF Moments From ‘Chinese Food’|Culture Team|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Shizuka New York Skin Care Salon has been offering the hourlong $180 Geisha bird-poop facial for about five years.
I Got a $180 Bird-Poop Facial|Kelsey Meany|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"She's Kill Bill, she's Lucy Liu, she's part assassin and part geisha," Wang says.
Backstage at Vera Wang|Isabel Wilkinson|September 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She had even laughed and quickened and responded to Geisha McCoy's manipulation of her audience, just as you have.
Cheerful--By Request|Edna Ferber
Something of this must have shone in her face, for Geisha McCoy's tone was half-pettish, half-apologetic as she spoke.
Cheerful--By Request|Edna Ferber
"Some people have all the luck," sighed Geisha McCoy, and dropped listlessly back on her pillows.
Cheerful--By Request|Edna Ferber
Of course, there are no ladies at mens dinners—only professional dancing-girls, maiko or geisha.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland
I have heard of silk tabi, but never saw any, and I think they are worn only by geisha, etc.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland

British Dictionary definitions for geisha

geisha

/ (ˈɡeɪʃə) /

noun plural -sha or -shas

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

Word Origin for geisha

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

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

Cultural definitions for geisha

geisha

[ (gay-shuh, gee-shuh) ]

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