L'impératrice (en. The empress)

/lɛ̃.pɛ.ʁa.tʁis/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
Title given to the sovereign of an empire.
Empress Eugénie was the wife of Napoleon III.
L'impératrice Eugénie fut l'épouse de Napoléon III.
Woman exercising imperial power.
She is often compared to an empress in her way of ruling.
Elle est souvent comparée à une impératrice dans sa façon de gouverner.
Influential person in society, inspiring respect and admiration.
She is considered the empress of fashion.
Elle est considérée comme l'impératrice de la mode.

Etymology

From Old French 'empereor', derived from Latin 'imperatrix', the feminine of 'imperator'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

the empress of style
A person who defines or influences fashion trends.
l'impératrice du style
to act like an empress
To demonstrate authority and control in a situation.
agir comme une impératrice

Related Words

empire
A large territory under a single authority.
empire
dominator
Woman who exercises dominant power.
dominatrice
sovereign
Woman who rules over a state.
souveraine

Slang Meanings

A person in power, often with a connotation of flamboyance.
She always has the last word, she really is the empress here.
Elle a toujours le dernier mot, c'est vraiment l'impératrice ici.
Woman who is perceived as very authoritarian.
Don't annoy her, she's the empress of the office.
Ne l'énerve pas, c'est l'impératrice du bureau.