countess

noun

count·​ess ˈkau̇n-təs 

1

: the wife or widow of an earl or count

2

: a woman who holds in her own right the rank of earl or count

Examples of countess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neither Oh’s dizzy countess nor Nyong’o’s charming, feckless Viola ever takes the reins of this production, but that would be hard to do. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025

In a similar vein (pun intended), the 16th-century Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory was rumored to have bathed in the blood of young girls to preserve her youth. —New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025

When Albrecht’s true identity is revealed by Hilarion, the peasant boy who loves her, and that Albrecht is already engaged to a countess, Giselle dies of heartbreak. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Louise Brooks wooed a father and son as well as a countess in a tuxedo. —Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

countess

noun

count·​ess ˈkau̇nt-əs 

1

: the wife or widow of a count or an earl

2

: a woman holding the rank of count or earl