geisha

American  

[gey-shuh, gee-] / ˈgeɪ ʃə, ˈgi- /

noun

PLURAL

geisha, geishas

1. a Japanese woman trained as a professional singer, dancer, and companion for men.

---

geisha British  

/ ˈɡeɪʃə /

noun

1. a professional female companion for men in Japan, trained in music, dancing, and the art of conversation

---

geisha Cultural  

1. A Japanese woman who is trained and paid to provide entertainment and amusing company for men.

---

Etymology

Origin of geisha

1890–95; < Japanese, equivalent to gei arts (< Chinese ) + -sha person (< Chin)

Example Sentences

The genre of Japanese prints called ukiyo-e, meaning “images of the floating world,” first arose in the 17th century and was often distinguished by city scenes, sumo wrestlers and geishas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Osaka was second and Kyoto, with its narrow streets, geishas and towering temples, was third, with around 12 million.

From The Wall Street Journal

To Frances O’Meara, that made her mother a sort of modern-day geisha, “someone always knowing her audience, always knowing how to communicate, knowing how to relate.”

From Los Angeles Times

One didn’t feel any real connection between the lovers, but maybe that, too, was wanted, given that the callous American sailor treats marriage to a geisha during a shore leave in Nagasaki as a lark.

From Los Angeles Times

Others say that tourists sometimes disrespect local customs by, say, chasing after geishas to photograph them or eating while walking, a behavior that is considered rude in Japan.

From New York Times