# Ste

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ste
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short way of writing the word 'Saint' before a person's name. It is usually used for female saints in French or older English texts.

For teachers: an abbreviation for 'Sainte', the feminine form of 'Saint'. Used primarily as a title preceding the name of a female saint or in geographical place names derived from French.

## Examples

- The church is dedicated to Ste. Catherine.
- In many older maps of Quebec, you will see towns named Ste-Julie or Ste-Anne using this specific abbreviation.
- While 'St.' is the standard gender-neutral abbreviation in modern English, historical documents often distinguish female figures by using 'Ste.' to reflect the original French hagiographic tradition.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Ste. Patrick" but "St. Patrick" — 'Ste.' is specifically the feminine abbreviation; masculine names must use 'St.'.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a title before a proper noun; often followed by a period in English but not always in French.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.