noun
hostess
HOHS-tuhs
noun
1
A woman who welcomes and entertains guests, or who runs an event.
"The hostess showed us to our table at the restaurant."
"As hostess, she made sure every guest felt included."
2
A female flight attendant (dated usage).
"The air hostess brought us drinks shortly after takeoff."
How to Use Hostess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA woman who hosts guests, seats diners at a restaurant, or (older usage) works as a flight attendant.
When to use it
"Air hostess" is now dated; "flight attendant" is the standard modern term.
Common pairings
restaurant hostess
air hostess
Word Forms
hostessed past tense, hostesses plural, hostesses singular
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The _____ showed us to our table at the restaurant.
Etymology
From Old French ostesce, formed from oste ("host") with a feminine ending.