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songstress

songstress

4 6.1
A woman who sings popular songs
  • noun
  • /ˈsɔŋstrəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : cantante
  • Everyone was talking about how the songstress performed her latest hit at the music festival.
  • a sultry songstress
  • an old songstress
  • an album by a songstress

Examples

  • Taylor Swift landed at LAX yesterday after a brief trip to Germany to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards, but this songstress doesn't get to kick back and relax even though she's home!

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  • 'Tis the season to get festive, and for perky songstress Katy Perry, that means getting extra creative with her attire.

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  • This time around, the songstress is not gunning for a crown.

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  • Our songstress and leading lady... ...Miss Julie Laverne!

  • The homes, the jobs, the livelihoods that have been lost," the "Hung Up" songstress told the crowd.

    Blog text (23)
  • This year, Dean, who is married to the songstress Alicia Keys, is having an art moment.

    Blog text (10)
  • Yes, Shawn Mendez, the songstress, the songbird, if you will.

  • "Actually, she may not be whipping out the acting chops just yet, but online reports claim that the chart-topping songstress has recorded an 'ominous' new track for the upcoming film!

    Blog text (9)
  • I will add her name to that of Laura Marling and Daughter as beautiful songstresses who can bewitch you with their music and their looks—a winning combination.

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  • The talented songstress captivated the audience with her powerful voice during the concert.

Synonyms

singer
vssongstress
787 1.0

A person who uses their voice to make music, often on stage

is specifically about a woman who performs popular songs
vocalist
vssongstress
37 3.0

A person who sings, often in a band or group

is used for a woman who mainly performs popular solo material
diva
vssongstress
15 6.9

A famous woman who sings leading parts in opera

refers to a woman who performs popular songs rather than classical repertoire
artiste
vssongstress
  • Archaic
8 7.4

A professional performer, especially a singer or dancer who performs on stage

is specifically a woman who performs popular songs rather than varied acts
folk singer
vssongstress
7 3.0

A singer who performs traditional songs from a local culture

means a woman who sings popular songs, not specifically traditional music
chanteuse
vssongstress
3 9.0

A woman who sings in a stylish way in nightclubs or cabarets

describes a woman who sings popular songs broadly, not only nightclub style
balladeer
vssongstress
3 8.2

A person who sings long songs that tell a story

indicates a woman who sings popular songs generally, not only ballads
frontwoman
vssongstress
1 5.6

A woman who sings lead and is the public face of a band

refers to a woman who performs popular songs rather than leading a group
songster
vssongstress
  • Archaic
1 6.0

A person who sings or writes music

focuses on a woman who mainly performs popular songs rather than composing
vocalizer
vssongstress
1 7.1

A person who sings using their voice as a musical instrument

describes a woman who performs popular songs, not only technical vocal work
poet-singer
vssongstress
6.7

A person who writes and sings folk songs that tell stories

refers to a woman who performs popular songs rather than poetic folk pieces

How Old-Fashioned

thrush
  • Archaic
1 9.9
songstress
  • Archaic
4 6.1
chanteuse
3 9.0
singer
787 1.0
pop group
3 2.3

Surface Forms

songstress singular
songstresses plural

Morphology

songstress = songster (opaque) = song + ster + ess

The immediate step from songster to songstress is a recognizable feminine derivation, but it relies on the less common base word songster.

Etymology

The word songstress is built from song and the ending -stress, which shows 'female', just like in actress. So a songstress is a woman who sings, especially in popular songs.