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Synonyms

girlfriend

American  
[gurl-frend] / ˈgɜrlˌfrɛnd /
Or girl friend

noun

  1. a frequent or favorite female companion; sweetheart.

  2. a female friend.


girlfriend British  
/ ˈɡɜːlˌfrɛnd /

noun

  1. a female friend with whom a man or boy is romantically or sexually involved; sweetheart

  2. any female friend

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of girlfriend

First recorded in 1855–60; girl + friend

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Vocabulary lists containing girlfriend

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It sounds, from what you say in your letter, like your husband wants a girlfriend, not a wife.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Calvin Kern, 23, has been saving in the Lifetime ISA for two years and hopes to buy a two-bedroom property with his girlfriend before he turns 30.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

His girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, idled their car in a disabled parking spot, accompanied by the couple’s other child.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026

Garrett is new here, but he said his father is from L.A., as is his girlfriend, Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Percy had taken his girlfriend on some romantic walks before.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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