Definition

A woman who has the title of a baron, which is a rank of nobility. She may be the wife or widow of a baron, or she may hold the title herself.

Example

The baroness hosted a grand dinner for the local nobility.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new baroness in town?

No, I hadn't! What’s her story?

Apparently, she inherited the title from her late husband.

That sounds interesting; I wonder what she’s like.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Baroness → The word is formed from "baron" (from Old French *baron*, meaning a nobleman or lord) and the suffix "-ess" (meaning a female). A baroness is a female member of the nobility, specifically the wife or widow of a baron.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'baron' as a nobleman and the '-ess' indicating a female, so a baroness is a noblewoman.

Visually Confused Words