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Synonyms

marquis

1 American  
[mahr-kwis, mahr-kee, mar-kee] / ˈmɑr kwɪs, mɑrˈki, marˈki /

noun

plural

marquises, marquis

  1. a nobleman ranking next below a duke and above an earl or count.

Marquis 2 American  
[mahr-kwis] / ˈmɑr kwɪs /

noun

  1. Don(ald Robert Perry), 1878–1937, U.S. humorist and poet.

Marquis 1 British  
/ ˈmɑːkwɪs /

noun

  1. Don ( ald Robert Perry ). 1878–1937, US humorist; author of archy and mehitabel (1927)

"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
marquis 2 British  
/ ˈmɑːkwɪs, marki, mɑːˈkiː /

noun

  1. (in various countries) a nobleman ranking above a count, corresponding to a British marquess. The title of marquis is often used in place of that of marquess

"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

Etymology

Origin of marquis

1250–1300; Middle English markis < Middle French marquis < Italian marchese < Medieval Latin *( comēs ) marc ( h ) ēnsis (count) of a borderland. See march 2, -ese

Explanation

A marquis is a nobleman. If you're a marquis, your rank is higher than a baron or a count, but lower than a duke or a prince. In systems like monarchies, where people inherit a certain rank, a marquis is one of the title given to men. The French spelling, marquis, is common in most parts of Europe, although in Britain they prefer marquess. Sometimes being a marquis includes some real power to rule a territory, but it's more often just an honorary title. The equivalent for a woman is being a marchioness.

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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.

Hilton agrees to concede defeat when Villaraigosa promises to make him the marquis of Huntington Beach.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

A 2005 biography of Bradford suggested she was indeed descended from lofty stock by way of her mother, who was, it said, the illegitimate daughter of a marquis.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2024

Lamb, meanwhile, one of Fetterman’s chief primary opponents in the state’s marquis Senate contest, is eager to hear Biden’s remarks on his sweeping infrastructure bill in person.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2022

Daly presented her with a five-carat marquis diamond ring.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 20, 2020

The marquis was 19 when he left France and reported to General Washington in Philadelphia in 1777.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

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.