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hostess

C1
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /hˈəʊstɛs/

US

  • /ˈhoʊstəs/

Description

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.

Examples

  1. 1

    Welcoming guests

    Our hostess greeted us warmly and showed us where to put our coats.

  2. 2

    Restaurant seating

    The restaurant hostess said our table would be ready in ten minutes.

  3. 3

    Fundraiser role

    As hostess of the fundraiser, Maya introduced the speakers and thanked the guests.

  4. 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. 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