masseuse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Professional
Quick answer
What does “masseuse” mean?
A woman whose job is to give massages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman whose job is to give massages.
A professional female practitioner of massage therapy, who manipulates muscles and soft tissues to relieve tension, pain, or promote relaxation. May work in spas, clinics, or independently.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the move towards gender-neutral terms like 'massage therapist' may be more advanced in some American professional contexts. Both use the French-derived spelling and pronunciation.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can sometimes carry unintended or outdated sexual connotations due to historical misuse in certain contexts, which is why the professional field often prefers 'massage therapist'.
Frequency
Slightly less frequent in modern professional registers in both regions, giving way to 'massage therapist'. Still common in general descriptive use.
Grammar
How to Use “masseuse” in a Sentence
[masseuse] + [verb] + [client/body part][client] + [see/hire/visit] + [masseuse][masseuse] + [specialise in] + [type of massage]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “masseuse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She trained for years to be able to masseuse clients effectively. (rare, borderline non-standard)
American English
- He decided to masseuse his own shoulders. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form derived from masseuse.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form derived from masseuse.)
adjective
British English
- She completed her masseuse qualifications. (attributive use)
American English
- The masseuse technique was very gentle. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in spa, wellness, and clinic brochures or descriptions, though 'massage therapist' is now standard for job titles.
Academic
Rare; more likely in historical or sociological texts discussing professions or gender.
Everyday
Used to describe a woman who gives massages. May be used interchangeably with 'massage therapist' by general public.
Technical
Less common in modern therapeutic manuals; 'massage therapist' or specific certifications (e.g., 'CMT') are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “masseuse”
- Misspelling as 'masseus', 'masseuse', or 'masseuze'.
- Using it as a gender-neutral term (incorrect: 'He is a masseuse.').
- Mispronouncing the final '-se' as /z/ in isolation; it's /s/ in the full word /mæˈsuːs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a bad word. It is a correct, formal term for a female massage giver. However, in some contexts, it has acquired outdated or sexualised connotations, which is why the professional field often uses the gender-neutral 'massage therapist'.
The male equivalent is 'masseur'. Both words are French in origin, with '-euse' being a feminine suffix and '-eur' being a masculine one.
In a professional or respectful context, 'massage therapist' is the safer, more modern, and gender-neutral choice. 'Masseuse' is still understood and used, particularly when specifying gender or in more general, non-professional descriptions.
No. 'Masseuse' is specifically feminine. A man who performs massage is a 'masseur'. Using 'masseuse' for a man is grammatically incorrect based on the word's etymology and standard usage.
A woman whose job is to give massages.
Masseuse is usually formal/professional in register.
Masseuse: in British English it is pronounced /maˈsɜːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /mæˈsuːs/ or /məˈsuːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms; the word is used literally.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A **masses**-use(r)' – she uses her hands on masses of muscle. The ending '-euse' is feminine (like 'chanteuse' for a female singer).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE THERAPIST IS A HEALER / THE BODY IS A MACHINE TO BE OILED AND FIXED.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses the word 'masseuse' most appropriately in a modern context?