masseuse

American  

[muh-soos, -sooz, ma-sœz] / məˈsus, -ˈsuz, maˈsœz /

1. a woman who provides massage as a profession or occupation.

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masseuse British  

/ mæˈsɜːz /

noun

1. a woman who gives massages, esp as a profession

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Etymology

Origin of masseuse

From French, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at massage, -euse

Explanation

The woman with the hands of gold that gets the knots out of your aching back is called a "massage therapist," but for a long time the word masseuse was acceptable. Many women who do massage professionally do not like the term masseuse but it is literally defined as a "female massager." The term has swinging sexy undertones, perhaps conjuring up images of flirty athletic women. While you may be lucky enough to get a massage therapist like this on your next spa visit, don't call her a masseuse. If it's a cute man, don't call him a masseur, either.

Example Sentences

A 33-year-old masseuse, who did not want to be named, said there was "so much fear in the streets and in our homes".

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Giufrre claimed she was approached by Epstein’s then-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, to be a masseuse for Epstein while working at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

From Salon • Aug. 25, 2025

Prosecutor Castro confronted him with a series of text messages the Hidden Hills woman had sent to a masseuse 10 days before the accident.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2024

Among the more interesting documents released Wednesday was the May 2016 deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who worked as a masseuse in Epstein’s household.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024

She's the worst masseuse I ever had; her clumsiness simply drives me frantic.

From A Hoosier Chronicle by Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay)