headmistress

[ hed-mis-tris ]

noun

1. a woman in charge of a private school.

headmistress

/ ˌhɛdˈmistrəs /

noun

1. a female principal of a school Gender-neutral formhead teacher

Gender Note

See -ess.

Derived Forms

• ˌheadˈmistressˌship, noun

Other Words From

• headmistress-ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of headmistress¹

First recorded in 1870–75; head + mistress

Example Sentences

Her headmistress was angry, complaining that her former pupil was throwing her life away.

From BBC

Her late-onset acclaim as the loyal deputy headmistress charged with Gryffindor House in the much-hyped wizard franchise was to be expected.

From Los Angeles Times

“Miss Trunchbull is the evil headmistress. They only exist in a children’s book.”

From Literature

Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, who calls herself Britain’s strictest headmistress, said the ruling was a victory for all schools.

From Seattle Times

Yeoh plays the headmistress at their school, and, the studio recently announced, Peter Dinklage will be Dr. Dillamond, a history professor and goat.

From Seattle Times