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

See Examples For:

masseuse

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

Dug may have enjoyed his afternoon with William Riddle, a certified canine masseuse, the most.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2025

But every option he could imagine was at his fingertips in Los Angeles, where Marks marveled at the fact that a masseuse could make house calls.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

“The wellness benefits I had access to were things like an in-office masseuse, guided meditation sessions, along with access to therapy,” he said.

From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2024

A more leisurely inspection of the room, however, showed this operating-table to be the only item—if a large-boned Swedish masseuse be omitted—directly reminiscent of a surgery.

From Through stained glass by Chamberlain, George Agnew