Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊstɛs] (IPA) 
The word "hostess" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ˈhoʊstɪs/. It is formed by adding the suffix -ess to the word "host." The sound /h/ at the beginning of the word is followed by the diphthong /oʊ/ as in the word "boat" and the consonant sound /s/ as in the word "set." The final sound, /ɪs/, represents the suffix -ess. Therefore, the correct spelling of the feminine form of "host" is "hostess."
A hostess refers to a female individual who takes charge of organizing and managing a social gathering or an event. This term is primarily associated with hospitality and is commonly used to describe someone who is skilled in executing tasks related to event planning and coordination. The role of a hostess involves orchestrating various aspects of an occasion to ensure its success and make guests feel welcome.
In a more traditional sense, a hostess is often responsible for extending invitations, receiving guests upon their arrival, and guiding them through the event. This may include offering refreshments, providing introductions, and answering any queries the guests may have. A hostess is expected to exhibit excellent interpersonal skills, showing warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness to the needs of the attendees.
The term hostess can also be applied to someone who works in the service industry, frequently holding a position in restaurants, hotels, or other hospitality establishments. In this context, a hostess typically greets and seats guests, manages reservations, and ensures the smooth flow of customers within the venue.
Overall, a hostess acts as a focal point for social interactions, gracefully facilitating the overall atmosphere and ensuring that guests feel comfortable and well-cared for during an event or within a hospitality setting.
• A woman who gives entertainment.
• See under host.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hostess" has an interesting etymology. It stems from the Middle English word "hostesse", which was derived from the Old French word "hostesse". The Old French term was derived from "hoste", meaning "host" in English, which itself came from the Latin word "hostis", meaning "enemy" or "stranger". In its original usage, "hostess" referred to a woman who provided shelter, food, and hospitality to guests or travelers. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to a female who acted as the welcoming and serving figure at a social gathering or an establishment like a restaurant or hotel.
