Definition

A woman who has control or authority over something, or a woman who is in a sexual relationship with a married man.

Example

She was known as the mistress of the estate, managing everything with great skill.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new book on historical figures?

Yeah, I heard it features a famous mistress from the 1800s.

Exactly! It’s interesting to see how they influenced their time.

For sure, it's always fascinating to learn about powerful women.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mistress → It is formed from "mister" (from Old French *maistre*, meaning master) and the suffix "-ess" (meaning a female). The word "mistress" originally referred to a woman who has control or authority, often in a domestic context, or a woman who is in a position of power or influence.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'master' ('mister') who is a 'female' ('-ess') — that's how you remember that a mistress is a woman in a position of authority.

Visually Confused Words