geisha

noun

gei·​sha ˈgā-shə 

 also  ˈgē-

plural geisha or geishas

: a Japanese girl or woman who is trained to provide entertaining and lighthearted company especially for a man or a group of men

Did you know?

In Japan, a geisha is a member of a professional class of women whose occupation is to entertain men. She must be adept at singing, dancing, and playing the samisen (a three-stringed musical instrument), in addition to being skilled at making conversation. The geisha system is thought to have emerged in the 17th century to provide a class of well-trained entertainers set apart from courtesans and prostitutes: though geisha sometimes had sexual relationships with clients, they were supposed to entertain primarily through their accomplishments. The numbers of geisha have declined from some 80,000 in the 1920s to a few thousand at present, almost all confined to Tokyo and Kyoto, where they are patronized by only the wealthiest businessmen and most influential politicians.

Examples of geisha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The courtesans were trained in music, etiquette and dance and the women of the area were a social symbol for the elite, with their presence at ceremonies a statement of class and wealth akin to Japan's geishas. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024

There was controversy in 2015 when Katy Perry dressed up as a geisha for her performance at the American Music Awards. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 Mar. 2024

And in Kyoto, officials recently implemented a ban on tourist photography in certain historic areas following reports of visitors harassing geisha. —Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2024

Like Japan’s geishas, their presence on special occasions was seen as a statement of class and wealth among the noble families of pre-independence India. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from gei art + -sha person

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

geisha

noun

gei·​sha ˈgā-shə 

ˈgē-

plural geisha or geishas

: a Japanese woman who is trained to provide entertaining company for men

Etymology

Japanese, from gei "art" and -sha "person"