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Definition of headmistress

headmistress

/ˌhɛdˈmɪstrəs/
head · mis · tress
Plural:headmistresses
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headmistress Lexical Profile

headmistress Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A female teacher who is the principal administrator in charge of a school, especially a private or boarding school.

Example

"The headmistress welcomed the new students and their parents during the opening assembly."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for headmistress

Word Nuance & Usage

While still used in traditional or private schools (particularly in the UK and Commonwealth), gender-neutral terms like 'headteacher' or 'principal' are now preferred in most modern educational contexts.

• Rhymes for headmistress

• Nearby Words

headmaster
headmasterly
headmastership
headmistress
headphone
headphones
headpiece

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'head' (in the sense of chief or leader) and 'mistress' (from Old French 'maistresse', the feminine form of 'master').

Cite this Entry

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