bridesmaid

[ brahydz-meyd ]

/ ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

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

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.

Nearby words

bridalveil, bride, bride price, bride, saint, bridegroom, bridesmaid, bridewell, bridey, bridezilla, bridge, bridge chair

Origin of bridesmaid

First recorded in 1545–55; bride¹ + 's¹ + maid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bridesmaid

I was a bridesmaid this summer for a couple that met at The Ball in 2011.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for Shots|Emily Shire|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress was meant to be "insignificant."
Beyonce Named Most Powerful Celebrity; Kanye West is Back at A.P.C.|The Fashion Beast Team|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The charges against the groom as well as against a bridesmaid were dropped.
Anthony Weiner Has Some Competition|Michael Daly|August 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ron Paul, Bridesmaid Ron Paul was supposed to finally win a state last night.
Super Tuesday Surprises: Catholics for Romney, Women for Santorum, and More|Ben Jacobs|March 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

By the way Ive asked Dolly to be first bridesmaid and she has consented.
Nothing But the Truth|Frederic S. Isham
"I shall be really rather in love with Uncle Hugh, I know," prophesied the bridesmaid.
The Boy with Wings|Berta Ruck
Some one else says the bridesmaid is far too early, there is no end of time.
Etiquette|Emily Post
Emily Atwood and Mr. Symmington were bridesmaid and groomsman, and were themselves united the following month.
Pencil Sketches|Eliza Leslie
Susan brisked up a little for the occasion, and looked very pretty as bridesmaid.
The Courtship of Susan Bell|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for bridesmaid

bridesmaid

/ (ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd) /

noun

a girl or young unmarried woman who attends a bride at her weddingCompare matron of honour, maid of honour

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

Word Origin and History for bridesmaid

bridesmaid

1550s, bridemaid, from bride + maid. The -s- is excrescent but began to appear by 1794 and the form with it predominated by the end of the 19c.