countess

noun

count·​ess ˈkau̇n-təs How to pronounce countess (audio)
Synonyms of countessnext
1
: the wife or widow of an earl or count
2
: a woman who holds in her own right the rank of earl or count

Examples of countess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the countess couldn’t stop wondering where Alberta’s dress could be. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Photos of the look—part Italian countess, part American coed on spring break—went viral. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026 Just turned seventeen and still sighing for a little Hungarian countess, he had recently been betrothed to a daughter of the King of Spain. — Literary Hub, 26 Mar. 2026 Jarman and Karen Spencer were previously embroiled in legal proceedings after the archeologist sued the countess in 2024, People and The Times reported. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for countess

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of countess was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

counterworld
countess
countfish
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Cite this Entry

“Countess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countess. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

countess

noun
count·​ess ˈkau̇nt-əs How to pronounce countess (audio)
1
: the wife or widow of a count or an earl
2
: a woman holding the rank of count or earl
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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