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villainess

American  
[vil-uh-nis] / ˈvɪl ə nɪs /

noun

  1. a villainous woman.


Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of villainess

First recorded in 1580–90; villain + -ess

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.

Quaritch is besotted by this new villainess and we’re pretty into Varang ourselves.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

Rapp played central villainess Regina George, reprising a role she originated on Broadway, and spent the press tour gleefully going off script.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2025

But the infernal Agni knows, as does any reader familiar with “The Ramayana”: Kaikeyi is destined to play a villainess in the great game of gods and mortals.

From Washington Post • Apr. 26, 2022

Cruella This is the second trailer for the upcoming origin story of the villainess from 101 Dalmatians and it makes me think we’re supposed to be rooting for Cruella?

From The Verge • Apr. 11, 2021

She pleaded with the villainess; told her how much she needed the job.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith