English · Word Candidate

duchess

/ˈdʌt͡ʃɪs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: duchesses · duchessing · duchessed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The wife or widow of a duke.

Noun

Examples

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have ended months of intense speculation by announcing they are expecting their first child, but were forced to share their news earlier than hoped because of the Duchess's admission to hospital on Monday.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The female ruler of a duchy.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

to court or curry favour for political or business advantage; to flatter obsequiously.

VerbRegister: informal

Examples

On arrival in England he was “duchessed” in a manner that no Australian Prime Minister has ever been “duchessed” before or since. Northcliffe was looking for someone around whom he could build a campaign against Asquith. Hughes filled the bill nicely.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “duchess” mean?

The wife or widow of a duke.

Is “duchess” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.