hostess
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈəʊstɛs/
US
- /ˈhoʊstəs/
Description
- welcomes guests
- restaurant greeter
- female host
A hostess is often the woman who greets you at a restaurant and shows you to your table. More broadly, it can mean a woman who welcomes and looks after guests at a home, party, or event. The word suggests someone who helps people feel comfortable and at ease. You may also hear the older term "air hostess," although "flight attendant" is more common now.
Think of someone at a party who makes sure everyone has a seat, feels included, and knows where things are. In each case, the idea is the same: a woman welcoming people and helping the occasion run smoothly.
The word "hostess" is the female form of "host." In its traditional sense, it means a woman who receives guests and makes them feel welcome, whether in her home, at a dinner, or during a social event. This use is still easy to understand today, especially when talking about someone who is giving a party or inviting people over.
In modern everyday English, "hostess" is also a common job title in restaurants. The hostess is the person who greets customers, checks bookings, and leads them to a table. Because she is often the first person guests meet, the word can carry a sense of friendliness, order, and care.
The word has also been used in travel. "Air hostess" was once a standard term for a woman working as part of the cabin crew on an airplane. Today, that wording sounds dated in many places, and "flight attendant" is usually preferred because it is more neutral.
More generally, "hostess" can describe any woman whose role is to welcome, guide, or entertain guests. The exact setting may change, but the central idea stays the same: she helps people feel comfortable, included, and looked after.
Examples
- 1
Welcoming guests
Our hostess greeted us warmly and showed us where to put our coats.
- 2
Restaurant seating
The restaurant hostess said our table would be ready in ten minutes.
- 3
Fundraiser role
As hostess of the fundraiser, Maya introduced the speakers and thanked the guests.
- 4
Social hosting
She played hostess all evening, making sure nobody was left sitting alone.
Phrase
play hostess
act as the hostess for an event
- 5
Airline job
My aunt worked as an air hostess before she retired.
Usage
air hostess
an older term for a flight attendant
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hostessnoun
Forms
- hostessespluralnoun