mistress

/ˈmɪstrɪs/

/ˈmɪstrɪs/

Other forms: mistresses

A mistress is a female master — she's the one in control. The wardrobe mistress is in charge of costumes for a theater. At some schools, the head of the school is called the headmaster or headmistress.

A woman who has an illicit affair — that is, a sexual relationship with someone she's not married to — is also called a mistress. It’s a somewhat old-fashioned word — it’s one-sided, sexist, and often suggests financial support in exchange for sexual favors. On the other hand, history offers some fascinating examples, such the mistress of King Louis XV of France, Madame de Pompadour, renowned for her intelligence and charm.

Definitions of mistress

1. noun

   an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
   synonyms: fancy woman, kept woman

   examples:

   Eva Braun

   the German mistress of Adolf Hitler (1910-1945)

   Delilah

   (Old Testament) the Philistine mistress of Samson who betrayed him by cutting off his hair and so deprived him of his strength

   types:

   concubine, courtesan, doxy, paramour

   a woman who cohabits with an important man

   odalisque

   a woman slave in a harem

   type of:

   lover

   a significant other to whom you are not related by marriage

   adult female, woman

   an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
2. noun

   a woman master who directs the work of others
   types:

   chatelaine

   the mistress of a chateau or large country house

   type of:

   employer

   a person or firm that employs workers
3. noun

   a woman schoolteacher (especially one regarded as strict)
   synonyms: schoolma'am, schoolmarm, schoolmistress

   type of:

   school teacher, schoolteacher

   a teacher in a school below the college level