English · Word Candidate

mistress

/ˈmɪs.tɹɪs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: mistresses · mistressing · mistressed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A woman, specifically one with great control, authority or ownership.

Noun

Examples

She was the mistress of the estate-mansion, and owned the horses.

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

A female head of household.

Noun

Examples

In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his master; trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one, who was proved to have had her ears pulled by her Mistress.

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 3

Meaning · English

To act or take the role of a mistress.

Verb

Examples

[…] housewifery, maternity, charity, the life conventual, the chatter of a court, the mistressing of a great house […]

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 4

Meaning · English

Used as the title of a female dominant.

Noun

Sources & notes

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

Common questions

What does “mistress” mean?

A woman, specifically one with great control, authority or ownership.

Is “mistress” formal or informal?

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