What does emcee mean?
An emcee is a person who hosts a public event — introducing speakers or performers, filling gaps between acts, and generally keeping things running on schedule. The word is simply a phonetic spelling of the abbreviation MC, short for 'master of ceremonies,' and it can be used both as a noun ('a charming emcee') and as a verb ('she agreed to emcee the fundraiser'). Emcee carries a friendly, slightly informal tone compared with the fuller phrase master of ceremonies, making it common in descriptions of weddings, award dinners, club nights, and variety shows. In American English it is far more frequent than its British counterpart compere. A distinct modern sense exists in hip-hop culture, where an emcee (often written MC) is a rapper or vocal performer. The word's transparent origin makes it easy to remember once known.
A person who serves as master of ceremonies at an event, introducing participants and guiding the program.
"The radio personality was a natural emcee for the festival's main stage."
Informal but broadly acceptable; more common in American English than British English.
To act as master of ceremonies for an event.
"He will emcee the annual fundraising dinner next month."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple hosts or hip-hop performers.
"Two veteran emcees shared hosting duties at the conference."
Emcee is literally just the letters M and C — 'master of ceremonies' — spelled out the way they sound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of emcee
Emcee originated in the early twentieth century as a humorous phonetic rendering of the abbreviation M.C., itself short for 'master of ceremonies,' a title dating back several centuries for the officer who presides over formal occasions. The spoken-out form quickly became standard in American English, and by mid-century it was well established both as a noun and as a verb. Later, within hip-hop culture, the related abbreviation MC took on the specialized sense of a rap performer. There are no true cognates beyond this single English source.
Related word forms
How emcee is actually used
Informal to neutral in register; widely understood in American English, where it is more common than the British equivalent compere. As a verb it inflects regularly (emcees, emceed, emceeing).
Easily confused with emcee
Emcee is the phonetic spelling of the abbreviation MC (master of ceremonies), and the two are interchangeable, though MC is also used specifically for a rapper or hip-hop performer.