How to pronounce hostess
Say it like HOH-stus. Hostess has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hostess. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOH
- stus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hostess pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- stusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hostess
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOH-stus.
What does hostess mean?
- A female host.“The host and hostess greeted their guests at the door.”
- A female innkeeper.
- Stewardess: a woman steward on an airplane.
- To host, as a woman.
Where does hostess come from?
From Middle English hostesse, from Middle French hostesse, from Old French ostesce, made up of oste (“host”) + -esce (“feminine marker”).
Questions about saying hostess
How do you pronounce hostess?
Say HOH-stus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊstəs/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊstəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hostess?
Hostess has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH). Broken into parts: HOH · stus.
Is hostess pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊstəs/ (HOH-stus).