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governess

[guhv-er-nis] / ˈgʌv ər nɪs /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Marion Crawford, known as Crawfie, had been governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 4, 2026

Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House as a governess with a secret, which would be enough for many a novel set in Victorian England.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 1, 2025

In The Governess, he played a father with an interest in photography who falls for his muse, and governess, played by Minnie Driver.

From BBC Dec. 30, 2023

No one would have to become a governess.

From New York Times May 28, 2023

It was possible that a delayed-onset case of holiday fatigue was finally catching up with the usually plucky young governess.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Children are taught by what are still called governesses, and grunt work is shared — workers and owners alike wash their own dishes.

From New York Times Nov. 30, 2022

Among those who taught her was her father, along with a senior teacher at Eton College, several French and Belgian governesses who taught her French, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who taught her religion.

From Seattle Times Sep. 8, 2022

For Americans who associate British TV with crime-solving vicars and emotionally repressed governesses, the fantastically tacky contestants of “Love Island” can be a shock to the system.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 23, 2022

By 1853 she was head of a hospital in London, England, for governesses, women who couldn’t afford private care but would not consider going to a public facility.

From Washington Post May 4, 2022

“I forgot that English people rather turn up their noses at governesses and don’t treat them as we do,” said Meg, looking after the retreating figure with an annoyed expression.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott




Vocabulary lists containing governess


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