marquise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “marquise” mean?
The wife or widow of a marquess.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The wife or widow of a marquess; a noblewoman of a particular rank.
A type of gemstone cut (oval with pointed ends) or a style of ring setting; also an architectural feature (a type of canopy) or a long, narrow, covered entrance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the primary association is with the aristocratic title. In the US, while the title is understood, the term is more commonly encountered in jewelry (marquise cut) or architecture (marquee).
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with historical class structure, nobility, and aristocracy. US: More likely to connote luxury, elegance, or specific design in consumer contexts (jewelry).
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK historical/cultural contexts. In US, 'marquee' is the standard spelling for the architectural/cinema feature, making 'marquise' less common in that domain.
Grammar
How to Use “marquise” in a Sentence
Marquise of [Place]Marquise de [Name]marquise-cut [gem]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marquise” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The marquise tiara was displayed in the museum.
American English
- She preferred a marquise solitaire for her engagement ring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in luxury goods (jewelry) marketing.
Academic
Found in historical, sociological, or art history texts discussing European nobility or gemology.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Specific terms in gemology (marquise cut) and architecture (historical usage for a canopy).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marquise”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marquise”
- Misspelling as 'marquis' (the male title) when referring to the woman or the gem cut.
- Pronouncing the final 's' as /s/ instead of /z/.
- Using it anachronistically or incorrectly in non-noble contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the British peerage, 'marchioness' is the official title for the wife or widow of a marquess. 'Marquise' is the French-derived equivalent often used in a European context.
'Marquis' (pronounced /ˈmɑːrkwɪs/ in UK, /ˈmɑːrkɪs/ in US) is the title for a nobleman. 'Marquise' (pronounced /mɑːˈkiːz/) is the title for his wife or widow, or the name of the gem cut.
No, 'marquise' is not used as a verb in standard English. It functions primarily as a noun and, in specific contexts (e.g., 'marquise diamond'), as an adjective.
The spelling 'marquise' for a canopy is largely historical or French-influenced. The standard modern English term for a projecting structure over an entrance, especially at a cinema or theatre, is 'marquee' (/mɑːrˈkiː/).
The wife or widow of a marquess.
Marquise is usually formal in register.
Marquise: in British English it is pronounced /mɑːˈkiːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːrˈkiːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A MARQUise is a Lady with a MARQuee (a grand entrance). Both suggest importance and grandeur.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOBILITY IS HEIGHT/ELEVATION; ELEGANCE IS SHARPNESS/PRECISION (as in the cut).
Practice
Quiz
In a UK context, who would most accurately be called a 'marquise'?