high priestess: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Journalistic, Specialized (Religious Studies)
Quick answer
What does “high priestess” mean?
The leading female religious authority or chief priestess in a particular pagan, occult, or goddess-worshipping tradition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The leading female religious authority or chief priestess in a particular pagan, occult, or goddess-worshipping tradition.
A woman who is the foremost authority or leading exponent in a specific field, movement, or belief system, often with connotations of deep reverence or esoteric knowledge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. British usage may be slightly more common in literary and historical contexts. American usage sees more frequent metaphorical application in business and pop culture journalism.
Connotations
Both carry the same core connotations of authority, esotericism, and female leadership.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, with comparable usage.
Grammar
How to Use “high priestess” in a Sentence
high priestess of [field/tradition]high priestess to [person/group]the high priestess [verb, e.g., presided, declared]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high priestess” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; no verb form exists)
American English
- (Not standard; no verb form exists)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no adverb form exists)
American English
- (Not standard; no adverb form exists)
adjective
British English
- She had a certain high-priestess aura about her.
- The event had a high-priestess vibe.
American English
- She had a high-priestess-like demeanor.
- It was a high priestess moment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'She is considered the high priestess of sustainable investing.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, history: 'The role of the high priestess in Minoan culture is debated.'
Everyday
Rare. May be used humorously or ironically: 'My mum is the high priestess of bargain hunting.'
Technical
Specific term in Wicca and modern pagan traditions denoting a leadership rank.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high priestess”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'She high-priestesses the group'). Confusing it with 'priestess' alone, which lacks the 'top' connotation. Misspelling as 'high-priestess' (hyphen is optional but less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, originally. It refers to the leading female religious figure in pagan, Wiccan, and various historical traditions. However, it is now commonly used as a metaphor for a leading female authority in any field.
No. The term is inherently feminine. The male equivalent is 'high priest'. Using it for a man would be either an error or a deliberate, unconventional rhetorical choice.
It is capitalised when used as a formal title preceding a name (e.g., 'High Priestess Morgana'). In general metaphorical use, it is typically lowercased (e.g., 'the high priestess of jazz').
A 'high priestess' holds the highest or a very senior rank among priestesses. It implies leadership, ultimate authority, and often the ability to ordain or initiate others within that tradition.
The leading female religious authority or chief priestess in a particular pagan, occult, or goddess-worshipping tradition.
High priestess is usually formal, literary, journalistic, specialized (religious studies) in register.
High priestess: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈpriː.stes/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈpriː.stəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(the) high priestess of [something]”
- “play the high priestess”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'high' rank (like a CEO) combined with a 'priestess' (a female religious leader). Together, they form the top female spiritual leader.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FIELD OF EXPERTISE IS A RELIGION; THE LEADING EXPERT IS A HIGH PRIEST/PRIESTESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'high priestess' used LEAST literally?