noun
mistress
MIS-trus/ˈmɪstrəs/
A woman having a sexual relationship with a married person other than her spouse.
The married man shares a quiet dinner with his mistress.
Etymology
The feminine of “master” could denote a woman in authority or a female lover. In the selected sense, the lover meaning is narrowed to a woman involved with someone married.
In context
History says the rancher was having an affair and the rancher's wife killed him and his mistress
More examples
- She discovers that her husband has a mistress.
- His mistress ends their relationship after years of secrecy.
- He denies that the woman is his mistress.
Forms
mistress · mistresses
Similar words
- lover
- Does not imply that either person is married.
- affair partner
- Can describe someone of any gender in an unfaithful relationship.