duchess
gb/dˈʌt͡ʃəs/ us/dˈʌt͡ʃəs/
B2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
woman with the rank of duke
A woman who is a very high-ranking noble, often called the Duchess of a place, usually because she is a duke’s wife or has the same rank as a duke.
Usage pattern:
the/a [duchess] of [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “duchess” with “princess” or “queen.” A duchess is usually below a princess or queen in rank and is often connected to a region or title like “Duchess of York.” Learners may also forget that “duchess” is specifically female, while “duke” is the male form.
Synonyms
noblewoman (General term for a woman of noble birth or rank; less specific than a duchess.)
Antonyms
commoner (Refers to a person without noble rank, the opposite social status to a duchess in a class-based system.)
Collocations
the Duchess of [Place]
|young duchess
|dowager duchess
|royal duchess
|marry a duchess
Themes
history
|society
|relationships
|politics
Examples
- The duchess arrived at the ceremony in a classic vintage car.
- As Duchess of Cornwall, she carried out many official duties on behalf of the crown.
- The young duchess was known for her interest in modern art and charity work.
- He claimed that his grandfather once worked as a gardener for a famous duchess.
- The dowager duchess continued to live in a small wing of the family estate.
Learner examples
- The duchess spoke to the people from the balcony.
- Many tourists came to see the palace of the duchess.
- The duchess and the duke opened the new hospital.
- A young duchess lived in the big old castle.
- They read a story about a kind duchess and her family.
Noun
informal
C1
entity
2
woman seen as very grand
A woman who seems very grand or important, or who is treated that way, like a duchess in stories.
Usage pattern:
to act/look/feel [like a duchess]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this use always means the woman really has a title. In informal speech, calling someone “a duchess” or “like a duchess” often only describes her behavior, style, or how others treat her, not her real social rank.
Synonyms
princess (Informal use for a woman who is spoiled or treated as very special; can be more negative or childish than “duchess.”)
Antonyms
nobody (Informal term for someone seen as unimportant, the opposite of a woman treated as very grand or special.)
Collocations
act like a duchess
|look like a duchess
|treated like a duchess
|feel like a duchess
Themes
social
|attitudes
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- She swept into the room like a duchess, expecting everyone to wait on her.
- After the makeover, she said she felt like a duchess walking down the street.
- They treated their grandmother like a duchess on her birthday, bringing her breakfast in bed and flowers.
- He joked that his cat was the real duchess of the house, ruling over everyone’s schedule.
- Don’t stand there like a duchess; grab a broom and help us clean.
Learner examples
- With her new dress, she looked like a duchess.
- They treated her like a duchess at the hotel.
- He said his dog was the duchess of the home.
- On her wedding day, she felt like a duchess.
- She sits on the sofa like a duchess and gives orders.
Noun
informal
C2
entity
3
dressing table with mirror
In Australia and New Zealand, a duchess is a bedroom table with drawers and a mirror, where you sit to brush your hair and get dressed.
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] [duchess] in the bedroom
Common mistake:
Learners outside Australia and New Zealand may not recognize this meaning and think “duchess” only refers to a noblewoman. In those regions, context about furniture and bedrooms shows that it means a dressing table, not a person.
Synonyms
dressing table (Standard and internationally understood term; “duchess” is regional and mainly used in Australia and New Zealand.)
Collocations
antique duchess
|wooden duchess
|matching bed and duchess
|bedroom duchess
Themes
home
|furniture
|housing
|daily_life
Examples
- The old duchess in the corner of the room had a large oval mirror.
- She found a vintage duchess at a second-hand shop and restored it herself.
- Their bedroom set came with a bed, a duchess, and two bedside tables.
- He placed his watch and wallet neatly on the duchess every night.
- The real estate ad mentioned a built-in duchess along one wall of the master bedroom.
Learner examples
- She sat at the duchess and brushed her hair.
- There is a mirror on the duchess in their room.
- They bought a new duchess for the bedroom.
- He keeps his comb and perfume on the duchess.
- The duchess and the bed are the same style.
Verb
informal
C2
action
4
flatter someone to win favor
To be very nice to an important person, giving them special treatment so that they will like you and help you.
Usage pattern:
to duchess [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this verb is common in all kinds of English, but it is mainly used in political or media talk and can sound unusual in everyday conversation. It is also not related to actually making someone a duchess.
Synonyms
schmooze (Informal verb for talking in a friendly way to gain favor; similar idea but focuses more on talk than on luxurious treatment.)
Antonyms
snub (Means to ignore or treat someone coldly, the opposite of giving them special attention and flattery.)
Collocations
duchess the press
|duchess the media
|duchess the guests
|duchessed by lobbyists
|attempt to duchess
Themes
politics
|social
|business
|communication
Examples
- The candidate tried to duchess the press with a fancy lunch and private tour.
- Lobbyists spent the weekend duchessing key senators at an exclusive resort.
- Instead of duchessing the executives, she presented her research and let the facts speak for themselves.
- Critics accused the company of duchessing regulators before the safety review.
- They were easily duchessed by the promise of access and expensive dinners.
Learner examples
- The company tried to duchess the reporters with a big party.
- He does not want to duchess the boss; he just wants to do good work.
- They duchessed the visitors with gifts and free food.
- The mayor was duchessed by business leaders at a hotel.
- Some people say the group duchessed the minister to get support.
Grammar
Dictionary form
duchess
IPA
GB/dˈʌt͡ʃəs/
US/dˈʌt͡ʃəs/
Syllables & stress
duch - ess (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (duch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: duchess
- Plural: duchesses
Verb
- Base: duchess
- 3rd Person Singular: duchesses
- Present Participle: duchessing
- Past: duchessed
- Past Participle: duchessed
Word family
Forms
duchesses
noun
duchessing
verb
duchessed
verb
Core family
duke
noun B2
Related words
duchy
noun
ducal
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.