What does "bluestocking" mean?
A scholarly, literary, or cultured woman.
Bluestocking
noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A scholarly, literary, or cultured woman.
- Grammar: bluestocking is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: academic, bas bleu, bibliophagic, bluestockings.
- Useful contrasts: contemporary, dullard, humble.
- Usage evidence: Many of her ladyship’s letters were the most whimsical rhodomontades that ever blue-stocking penned.
How to use "bluestocking"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bluestocking" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bluestocking" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bluestocking" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A scholarly, literary, or cultured woman. derogatory, usually
"Many of her ladyship’s letters were the most whimsical rhodomontades that ever blue-stocking penned."
- 2 a woman having literary or intellectual interests wordnet
- 3 A member of an 18th-century Blue Stockings Society. historical
- 4 A member of the English parliament of 1653, more commonly called the Barebones Parliament. historical
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Many of her ladyship’s letters were the most whimsical rhodomontades that ever blue-stocking penned."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bluestocking"?
Common synonyms include: academic, bas bleu, bibliophagic, bluestockings, book-fed, book-learned.
How do you use "bluestocking" in a sentence?
Many of her ladyship’s letters were the most whimsical rhodomontades that ever blue-stocking penned.
Etymology
From the 17th century. Originally in reference to blue stockings worn by men as opposed to more expensive white stockings. First associated with the Barebones Parliament in the 17th century, then with a series of literary salons which admitted female intellectuals in the 18th century; in particular the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society led by Elizabeth Montagu on the Parisian model. The term was not originally derogatory. However, none of the ladies wore blue stockings. The first recorded use of the term is in reference to Benjamin Stillingfleet. He was not rich enough to have the proper formal dress, which included black silk stockings and so he attended in everyday blue worsted stockings.