songstress: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, literary, sometimes archaic
Quick answer
What does “songstress” mean?
A female singer, especially one who performs popular songs or ballads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female singer, especially one who performs popular songs or ballads.
A woman who sings professionally or with notable skill; can carry poetic or slightly archaic connotations, sometimes implying a certain grace or artistry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, though it may be perceived as slightly more archaic or poetic in American English.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of artistry, tradition, and sometimes a bygone era. It is not typically used for contemporary pop singers without intentional stylistic effect.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions, largely reserved for formal writing, historical contexts, or specific artistic descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “songstress” in a Sentence
[songstress] of [genre/era]the [adjective] songstressVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in marketing or PR for certain artistic brands (e.g., 'the legendary songstress returns to the stage').
Academic
Used in musicology, gender studies, or historical contexts discussing female performers.
Everyday
Very rare. 'Singer' is almost always preferred.
Technical
Not a technical term in music. 'Soprano', 'mezzo-soprano', etc., are the technical terms for female voice types.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “songstress”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “songstress”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “songstress”
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'singer' (it is gendered and stylistic).
- Applying it to male singers.
- Overusing it in modern contexts where 'singer' is appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively rare and has a formal, sometimes old-fashioned feel. The gender-neutral 'singer' is far more common.
Technically yes, but it often carries specific stylistic connotations (artistic, traditional, poetic). It sounds unusual for a casual or contemporary pop context where 'singer' is standard.
There is no direct, commonly used male equivalent with the '-ess' suffix. 'Singer' or 'vocalist' is used for men. 'Songster' exists but is even more archaic and rare.
It is not inherently sexist, as it simply denotes gender. However, because it marks gender explicitly where the neutral term ('singer') exists, some consider it unnecessary gendering. Its use is often a stylistic choice rather than a discriminatory one.
A female singer, especially one who performs popular songs or ballads.
Songstress is usually formal, literary, sometimes archaic in register.
Songstress: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒŋ.strəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɔːŋ.strəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A songstress of the soul (poetic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'song' + 'stress' (like 'seamstress' – a woman who sews). A songstress is a 'woman who sings songs'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A SOURCE OF MUSIC / ARTISTRY IS FEMININE (in certain traditional contexts).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'songstress' LEAST appropriate?