The Male Version of a Mistress

By Maria Padara
Posted March 1, 2023
The Male Version of a Mistress

A mistress is a sexually involved woman who has not been married to her husband. She is also often called a lover or concubine.

In the past, it was considered a bad idea for a married man to have a sexual affair with another woman. But it’s now common practice in the United States and Europe, especially among rich men.

Definition

A male version of a mistress is an unmarried woman who has sexual relations with a married man. Generally, the term is used to describe the female lover of a married man who pays her maintenance.

The word mistress is often regarded as outdated and sexist; it suggests that a woman receives financial support from her male lover in exchange for sexual favors. But there are some fascinating examples of women who have been called mistresses in history, such as Queen Louise XV of France and Madame de Pompadour.

The male version of a mistress doesn’t get written about as much, but it’s still important to know how to use the word when it comes up. The best terms for the male equivalent of a mistress are “paramour,” “lover” and “boyfriend.”

Meaning

A mistress is a woman who a man has an affair with. It’s a somewhat long-term relationship that can include financial support.

Historically, men would hire women to act as their mistress, even while they were married. This was especially common among wealthy men, who could make a career out of this sort of activity.

In modern times, mistress is used in a much more narrow sense, as a term for a woman who has a romantic relationship with a man who is not her husband. It’s not an official equivalent of “lover” or “paramour,” but it can be more appropriate in some circumstances than a word like “boyfriend” that might suggest illicit sex.

According to Amy Bonior of the Associated Press, there isn’t an effective male version of the word “mistress” because there are other terms that can be used for both men and women. However, she notes that many people see the word as outdated and sexist.

Origins

The male version of a mistress is a term that has been used in popular culture for a long time. It refers to a woman that a man already in a relationship has sexual intercourse with.

The word originates in the English language around 1300, and it originally referred to a woman who had control over a household or other institution. It was also a common form of address for married women.

However, it only started to be used in a more specific sense during the mid-1400s. By that time, the word had become associated with a “woman who has a continuing, extramarital sexual relationship with one man,” especially a man who provides her with financial support.

A mistress has often been linked to courtly love, as well as high status, but the word also has been used in sadomasochistic practice to describe a dominant sexual partner. As long as people continue to view men’s and women’s sexuality in terms of status, mistresses will remain in vogue.

Etymology

Etymology is the study of how words develop and change over time. It is a fascinating subject because it helps us understand how language works and can even help us decipher unfamiliar words.

The etymology of mistress is a fascinating one, and it tells us something about the changing role of women in society. Traditionally, the term mistress was applied to women of higher social status.

In modern times, however, this word has become narrower and more specific to describe a woman who is engaged in an extramarital relationship with a man. She may also be receiving financial support from him in return for sexual service.

As a result, the male version of a mistress hasn’t gotten as much written about as the female version does. Instead, we use terms like “paramour,” “lover,” and “boyfriend.” These words aren’t exact equivalents, but they are great for showing that a person is having relations with another person without necessarily indicating marital status.