Definition

1. Noun:
   • A minor female role in comedy: A theatrical stock character, typically a lady's maid or a coquettish, cunning, and witty female servant, especially in comedies or comic operas.
   • A pert or flirtatious young woman: By extension, a young woman who is lively, saucy, and coquettish in manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Theatrical Role):
  • The actress made her debut in the soubrette role of the clever maid.
  • In many 18th-century comedies, the soubrette helps her mistress in romantic intrigues.
• Noun (Character Type):
  • Her lively and mischievous personality earned her the nickname 'the office soubrette'.
  • He was charmed by the soubrette's playful banter.

Advanced Usage

• As a character archetype: The term is used in literary and dramatic criticism to describe a specific, recurring type of female character known for her wit, charm, and sometimes manipulative nature in service of the plot.
  • The play's humor often relies on the soubrette's clever schemes.
• In opera: Specifically denotes a light soprano voice type suited to such roles, often involving both singing and acting.
  • She specialized in soubrette roles, which perfectly matched her vocal agility and comic timing.

Variants and Related Words

• Soubrette role (n): The specific part or character of a soubrette.
  • She was typecast in soubrette roles early in her career.

Synonyms

• Coquette: A woman who flirts lightheartedly.
• Maid: A female servant (specifically for the theatrical role context).
• Minx: A sly, teasing, or flirtatious young woman.

Related Idioms

• Playing the soubrette: Behaving in a coquettish, mischievous, or scheming manner reminiscent of the character type.
  • Stop playing the soubrette and tell us what you really know.

Noun

1. a minor female role as a pert flirtatious lady's maid in a comedy
2. a pert or flirtatious young girl