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Definition of countess

countess

/ˈkaʊntəs/
coun · tess
Plural:countesses
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countess Lexical Profile

countess Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A noblewoman holding the rank equivalent to that of a count in continental Europe or an earl in the British peerage, either in her own right or by marriage to a count or earl.

Example

"The countess hosted an annual charity gala at her ancestral country estate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In the British peerage, 'countess' serves as the female equivalent of an earl because the Anglo-Saxon title 'earl' never developed a native feminine form.

• Nearby Words

countervailing
counterview
counterweight
countess
countless
countrified
country

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 12th century from Old French 'contesse', from Medieval Latin 'comitissa', the feminine derivative of Latin 'comes' (companion or nobleman).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Countess. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/countess
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