governess

noun

gov·​ern·​ess ˈgə-vər-nəs 

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

Perhaps most telling of all, Stone cuts the character of Carlotta, a governess born to circus performers who wanders through the play like a lost clown, origin-less, amused, and sad. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Zachary Wigon directs, and Maika Monroe stars as Winifred Notty, a governess who tries and fails not to be a complete, well, psycho in this irreverent, gory horror. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026

Maika Monroe plays Winifred Notty, a young governess who arrives at the sweeping Ensor House in the 1850s, ready to work for the well-to-do Pounds family. — William Earl, Variety, 20 May 2026

Set in 1858 and adapted by Virginia Feito from her own novel, Victorian Psycho stars Monroe as Winifred Notty, an idiosyncratic young woman who arrives at the wealthy Pounds family’s old gothic manor, claiming to be the house’s new governess. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

governess

noun

gov·​ern·​ess ˈgəv-ər-nəs 

: a woman who teaches and trains a child in a private home