What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
proprietress
Example
The proprietress of the restaurant greeted us warmly at the door. [proprietress: noun]
Example
She is the proprietress of the antique shop on Main Street. [proprietress: noun]
landlady
Example
The landlady was very helpful in fixing the leaky faucet in our apartment. [landlady: noun]
Example
We stayed at a bed and breakfast run by a friendly landlady. [landlady: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Landlady is more commonly used than proprietress in everyday language. Landlady is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts related to rental properties, while proprietress is less common and may sound outdated or old-fashioned in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between proprietress and landlady?
Both proprietress and landlady are generally considered formal terms and may be used in professional or business settings. However, proprietress may connote a higher level of formality or exclusivity than landlady.