Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

priestess

/ˈpristɪs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.95 in modern English

Syllables
priest-ess
IPA
/ˈpristɪs/
11
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A priest’s wife.

Colloquial; Obsolete

verb

To oversee (a pagan ceremony, etc.) as priestess.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From priest + -ess. Compare Middle English preesteresse (“priestess”). Piecewise doublet of presbyteress.

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈpristɪs/
  • British English: /ˈpriːstɛs/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce priestess?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpristɪs/.
What does priestess mean?
A woman with religious duties and responsibilities in certain religions.
Where does priestess come from?
From priest + -ess. Compare Middle English preesteresse (“priestess”). Piecewise doublet of presbyteress.

How to pronounce priestess

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “priestess”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpristɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “priestess”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “priestess” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.