governess

noun

gov·​ern·​ess ˈgə-vər-nəs How to pronounce governess (audio)
1
: a woman who governs
2
: a woman who cares for and supervises a child especially in a private household

Examples of governess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024 Set in 1858, the film will follow a young, eccentric governess named Winifred Notty (Qualley) who arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024 As a result of his ailments, the young boy spent very little time in public school; he was mainly tutored at home, first by his aunt and later by a French governess. Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024 There, the arrival of a governess (Fionnula Flanagan) and her peers kicks off a series of horrifying supernatural occurrences that threaten to unravel Grace’s reality. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for governess 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of governess was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near governess

Cite this Entry

“Governess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governess. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

governess

noun
gov·​ern·​ess ˈgəv-ər-nəs How to pronounce governess (audio)
: a woman who teaches and trains a child in a private home
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