# Teresa

/tɝˈeɪsə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a common name for a woman or girl.

For teachers: a female given name, often associated with historical figures such as Mother Teresa.

- Teresa is starting her new job at the hospital tomorrow morning.
- The biography explores how Teresa developed her philosophy of service during her early years in the convent.

### 2. a place name

noun · CEFR B2

a town or area in the Philippines.

For teachers: a specific municipality located in the province of Rizal, Philippines.

- Many people travel through Teresa when visiting the Rizal province.
- The local government of Teresa has recently implemented new environmental policies to protect the surrounding hills.

### 3. a historical headscarf

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a light scarf worn by women in the late 1700s.

For teachers: a type of light kerchief or head covering worn by women in the late eighteenth century.

- The lady in the old painting wore a silk teresa over her hair.
- Fashion historians note that the teresa was a popular accessory among the European gentry during the final decades of the eighteenth century.

## Examples

- Teresa is my sister's name.
- The meeting was led by Teresa, who has been the department head for five years.
- While the name Teresa has various regional spellings, such as Theresa or Thérèse, it remains a classic choice across many European and Latin American societies.

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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.