Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for soubrette

soubrette

[ soo-bret ]

noun

  1. a maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, especially one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue.
  2. an actress playing such a role.
  3. any lively or pert young woman.


soubrette

/ suːˈbrɛt /

noun

  1. a minor female role in comedy, often that of a pert lady's maid
  2. any pert or flirtatious girl
“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


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • souˈbrettish, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • sou·brettish adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of soubrette1

1745–55; < French: lady's maid < Provençal soubreto, derivative of soubret affected, ultimately derivative of Old Provençal sobrar < Latin superāre to be above
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of soubrette1

C18: from French: maidservant, from Provençal soubreto, from soubret conceited, from soubra to exceed, from Latin superāre to surmount, from super above
Discover More

Example Sentences

The soubrette had a lank young body neatly attired in a store suit and shirt-waist.

I thought that the frozen surface of the American woman thawed on the stratum soubrette.

And, like Brighella, written comedy blended her with the fixed characters of drama under the name of the soubrette.

She was even more successful in comedy, and no better soubrette had been seen since the days of Madeleine Bjart.

Miss Richland has a very pretty face, but she looks more like a soubrette or smart actress than a woman of fashion.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


soubresautsoubriquet