hostess
/ˈhoʊstɪs/
noun
Origin
Latin
hospitissa — female guest or host
Overview
Meaning Now
- A woman who receives or entertains guests at a social event or in her home.
- A woman employed to provide hospitality or services to customers, such as in an aircraft or a restaurant.
Literal older meaning
female host
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
hostesse
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term is derived from the feminine form of 'host', which traces back to the Latin 'hospes'. The suffix '-ess' was commonly used in English to mark feminine roles. In recent decades, the use of gendered occupational titles has declined in favor of neutral terms like 'host' or 'flight attendant', though 'hostess' persists in social contexts.
Evolution
- Latin
hospes
“guest, stranger, or host”
The root of the word denotes one who has power in the house.
- Old French
hostesse
“a female host”
- Middle English
hostesse
“a woman who entertains guests”
- English
hostess
“modern standard usage”
Connections
Word parts
host
root
one who provides hospitality
-ess
suffix
feminine agent
Related across languages
French
hôtesse
hostess or flight attendant
Italian
ospite
guest or host
Explore next
Related to hostess
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.