hostess

[ hoh-stis ]

/ ˈhoʊ stɪs /

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noun

a woman who receives and entertains guests in her own home or elsewhere.

a woman employed in a restaurant or place of amusement to receive, seat, or assist patrons.

a woman who acts as master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for a television or radio program; host.

a woman employed by an airline, railroad, bus company, etc., to see that passengers are comfortable throughout a trip, usually receiving and seating them, and sometimes serving them refreshments.

a woman who manages a resort or hotel or who directs its social activities.

taxi dancer.

verb (used with object)

to be the hostess at (a reception, dinner, etc.): She will hostess a shower for the new bride.

to act as hostess at, to, or for: She volunteered to hostess the garden club next season.

verb (used without object)

to perform the duties or functions of a hostess.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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 hostess

1250–1300; Middle English (h)ostesse<Old French. See host¹, -ess

usage note for hostess

See -ess.

OTHER WORDS FROM hostess

hostess-ship, noun

How to use hostess in a sentence

Some started out as karaoke bar hostesses like Mei, or worked in massage parlors.
China’s Concubine Culture Lives On in Mistress Villages|Brendon Hong|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he described the “very personal insults” directed at the two air hostesses and pilot “as nothing short of reprehensible.”
Designer’s Niece In Yuppie Air Rage|Tom Sykes|January 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And not to traditional boring embassy functions or the well-appointed homes of desperate hostesses either.
First Food Critics|Sandra McElwaine|May 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Hostesses twitter on the phone, or just Twitter, to woo A-list guests to pre- and post-inauguration parties.
The Coronation of King Obama|Katty Kay|January 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST

He would make one of his hostesses angry, because he insisted on feeding her dog at dinner.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
My hope is that some of our future hostesses will be looking from the second-story front-windows.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
From time to time send to any of your hostesses of the winter something from your preserves.
The Complete Bachelor|Walter Germain
In hotels, there are women managers, chaperones, hostesses and matrons.
The Canadian Girl at Work|Marjory MacMurchy
Ulysses brought home a large collection of fine embroidered garments, contributed by his fair hostesses during his travels.
Needlework As Art|Marian Alford

British Dictionary definitions for hostess

hostess

/ (ˈhəʊstɪs) /

noun

a woman acting as host

a woman who receives and entertains patrons of a club, restaurant, etc

See air hostess

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

hostess

Origin of hostess

usage note for hostess

OTHER WORDS FROM hostess

Words related to hostess

How to use hostess in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hostess