Definition

A woman who holds the title of countess in Italy, often associated with nobility or aristocracy.

Example

The contessa hosted a grand ball at her villa, inviting all the local dignitaries.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new contessa moving into town?

Yeah, I read that she's from Italy and throws fancy parties.

I wonder what her house looks like; a real contessa must have a stunning place.

I bet it's beautiful — I hope we get an invite to one of those parties!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Contessa → The word comes from Italian 'contessa', which is derived from Latin 'comitissa' (meaning countess, the wife of a count). The root 'comit-' comes from 'comes' (meaning companion or count), and the suffix '-issa' is a feminine form. Thus, 'contessa' refers to a female noble equivalent to a count.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'count' ('comes') and remember that a 'contessa' is the female version of a count, a noblewoman.

Visually Confused Words