duchess

noun

duch·​ess ˈdə-chəs 

1

: the wife or widow of a duke

2

: a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right

Examples of duchess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time, Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the duchess for comment. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025

Angel Reese The Chicago Sky star wore a custom black duchess satin trompe l’oeil cropped jacket with silk satin lacing and contrasting three-ply mohair cups, an exaggerated hip corset and a matching drop-waist skirt with an extended train. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025

The duke and duchess infamously stepped back from their royal titles five years ago, taking residence in Canada and, later, California in June 2020. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025

To show off her natural beauty, the duchess went makeup-free on Kern Lima’s podcast — The Jamie Kern Lima Show, which landed on Monday, April 28. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English duchesse, from Anglo-French, from duc duke

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing duchess

• grand duchess

Rhymes for duchess

• duchesse
• archduchess

Kids Definition

duchess

noun

duch·​ess ˈdəch-əs 

1

: the wife or widow of a duke

2

: a woman holding the rank of duke in her own right