hostess
UK: ˈhəʊstəs | US: ˈhoʊstəs
n. a woman who receives or entertains guests
n. a female host of a social event or television/radio program
n. (dated) a woman who manages a brothel
hostess = host<guest/receiver> + ess<feminine suffix>
- host: From Old French hoste (guest, host), derived from Latin hospes (guest, stranger, host). Originally gender-neutral, later specialized to male contexts.
- ess: A suffix of French origin (-esse), used to form feminine nouns (e.g., actress, lioness).
Etymology Origin:
The word hostess emerged in Middle English (14th century) by combining host (from Latin hospes, via Old French) with the feminine suffix -ess. While host initially referred to both male and female hosts, societal norms led to the creation of gendered terms like hostess to specify women in hospitality or entertainment roles. Over time, hostess also acquired narrower or dated connotations (e.g., brothel management), reflecting evolving cultural attitudes.
The hostess greeted each guest warmly at the party.
She worked as a flight hostess for over a decade.
The television hostess introduced the next segment with a smile.
In the 19th century, the term "hostess" sometimes carried negative implications.
The café owner hired a hostess to manage reservations.