bridesmaid

American  

[brahydz-meyd] / ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

1. a young woman who attends the bride at a wedding ceremony.

2. Informal. a person, group, etc., that is in a secondary position, never quite attains a goal, etc..

   Bridesmaids for 12 seasons, the Eagles finally won the championship.

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bridesmaid British  

/ ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

1. a girl or young unmarried woman who attends a bride at her wedding Compare matron of honour maid of honour

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Etymology

Origin of bridesmaid

First recorded in 1545–55; bride ¹ + 's ¹ + maid

Example Sentences

How much should I actually be helping plan a bachelorette party when I’m a bridesmaid — not the maid of honor?

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

This contest, for weeks, was instead a race between an outfit, Reform UK, which barely existed a few years back and another, Plaid Cymru - until now the perpetual bridesmaid in contests in Caerphilly.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2025

On Facebook and elsewhere, buyers are venting about hundreds of dollars due on mouse pads, makeup and bridesmaid dresses.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride is a phrase that could have been invented for director Paul Thomas Anderson.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2025

Aunt Ruth might have been the maid of honor, but Margot was a bridesmaid.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth