mistress
mistress — noun
1. a woman in a secret romantic relationship with someone who is married to another
a woman in a secret romantic relationship with someone who is married to another person
The newspaper reported that the wealthy businessman had kept a mistress in a city apartment for years.
collocation: keep a mistress
Bilal's aunt was devastated when she discovered that her husband of twenty years had a secret mistress.
In the novel, the main character leaves her husband after finding out about his mistress in another town.
Anjali argued that the media should stop using the word mistress and instead describe the relationship more neutrally.
- lover
more neutral term that does not imply marriage or secrecy on either side
- paramour
formal or literary term, avoids moral judgment but sounds dated
- girlfriend
casual and modern, but implies an acknowledged rather than secret relationship
- wife
the married woman in the legally recognised relationship
文法句型
[married man]'s mistress
has a mistress
keeps a mistress
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'mistress' in modern English. The word carries a strong moral judgment about the arrangement and can be seen as shaming the woman involved. There is no common male equivalent; 'master' in this context is not used. More neutral alternatives include 'lover' or 'partner'.
常見錯誤
2. a female person who holds authority over a household, directs staff, or oversees
a female person who holds authority over a household, directs staff, or oversees a particular area of activity
Nia's great-grandmother was the mistress of a large country estate in the Scottish Highlands.
collocation: mistress of [place/property]
Élise served as mistress of ceremonies for the annual charity dinner and auction.
fixed phrase: mistress of ceremonies
In the old manor house, the mistress decided which rooms the visiting guests would use.
Hui was considered a true mistress of the art of Japanese calligraphy by her teachers.
- head
modern, gender-neutral term for a person in charge of an organization or household
- proprietress
specifically a woman who owns a business or property, more formal
- matriarch
focuses on the woman's role as the head of a family or community
- servant
a person employed to work in another person's household, under the mistress's authority
文法句型
mistress + of + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This sense is now uncommon in everyday conversation. It survives mainly in fixed phrases like 'mistress of ceremonies' and in historical accounts of wealthy households with servants. The 'mastery' subsense (mistress of a skill) is literary or formal.
常見錯誤
3. a woman who teaches children at a school, particularly a private or boarding sch
a woman who teaches children at a school, particularly a private or boarding school in the British educational system
Reema's grandmother worked as the music mistress at a girls' boarding school for forty years.
The new history mistress at Christopher's school organised a field trip to the local castle ruins.
pattern: [subject] mistress — specific school subject
Hannah remembered her form mistress as strict but always willing to listen to students' problems.
Selim's mother was appointed headmistress of a private academy in the north of England.
- teacher
standard modern term, gender-neutral and used in all school contexts
- instructor
more formal, often used for specialised or adult education
- governess
historically a woman who taught children in their own home, not in a school
文法句型
[subject] mistress
the [subject] mistress
用法筆記
Chiefly British English, used mainly in the context of private or boarding schools (e.g. 'form mistress', 'games mistress'). In modern British state schools, 'teacher' is the standard term. 'Headmistress' is still used for the female head of some independent schools, though 'headteacher' is increasingly common.
常見錯誤
4. a female person looking after a pet animal, most commonly used for dogs in forma
a female person looking after a pet animal, most commonly used for dogs in formal or competitive settings
Felix watched the border collie run straight back to its mistress whenever he called its name.
possessive: [dog]'s mistress
The registration form for the dog show required the name and address of each dog's mistress or master.
João noticed that the frightened puppy would only calm down when its mistress knelt beside its crate.
At the veterinary clinic, the receptionist asked Zayd whether he was the dog's master or the dog's mistress.
- owner
standard modern term, gender-neutral, used in all contexts
- pet parent
informal, modern term emphasising care rather than ownership
文法句型
[dog]'s mistress
the dog's mistress
用法筆記
A technical or formal term used in dog breeding, canine competitions, and veterinary documentation. In everyday speech, 'owner' is used regardless of gender. This sense is much rarer than the 'lover' or 'teacher' senses and may sound old-fashioned to many speakers.