"Mastress" is a rarely used alternative spelling of the word "mistress". It is pronounced as /ˈmæstres/ (MA-stress) in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "mistress" typically refers to a female in a position of authority, but can also refer to a woman who is the lover of a married man. However, the use of the word "mastress" is largely outdated and may be confusing to modern readers. It is recommended to use the standard spelling of "mistress" in all contexts.