Governess Meaning
/ˈɡʌvɚnəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA woman paid to educate children in their own home.
nounA female governor.
Sentence Examples
Old rich families used to employ a governess to look after their children.
Mary used to work as a governess for a wealthy family.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The wealthy family hired a ____ to educate their children at home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the 19th century, many wealthy families hired a ____ to live in their home and educate their children.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English governesse, a contracted form of governeresse, from Old French governeresse (“female ruler or administrator”). In later senses, equivalent to govern(or) + -ess.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[Mashenka Pavletsky] returning from a walk to the house of the Kushkins, with whom she was living as a governess, found the household in a terrible turmoil."
— 1917, Anton Chekhov, translated by Constance Garnett, An Upheaval:
"Boy, you are a crabby lady! Who are you? Calvin's cruel governess?"
— 1990 January 12, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic):
"it was then still just possible to have a relatively normal life at the family’s 25-bedroom mansion at 145 Piccadilly, from where the baby was taken for a two-hour constitutional in her pram to Hyde Park and back every day by her governess."
— September 8 2022, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian:
"“The Gates Ajar” seems to be the favorite song and inspiration of Ma Ferguson in her four years as governor. The lady governess pardoned criminals as soon as they were convicted and was so chronic in her actions that the courts had just about refused to function in convicting anyone."
— 1927 January 21, “Hints and Dints”, in New Castle News, volume XLVII, number 117, New Castle, Pa., page four, columns 4–5:
"I cannot begin to tell you how tired I am of this woman and all she stands for and all those shallow people who think an Alaskan governess has what it takes to be a VP."
— 2008, @tiredofher, CNN, archived from the original on 11 Apr 2023:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The wealthy family hired a ____ to educate their children at home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the 19th century, many wealthy families hired a ____ to live in their home and educate their children.