bridesmaid
[brahydz-meyd]
- 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.
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Origin of bridesmaid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bridesmaid
Contemporary Examples
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 ShotsEmily Shire
December 26, 2014
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
The charges against the groom as well as against a bridesmaid were dropped.
Ron Paul, Bridesmaid Ron Paul was supposed to finally win a state last night.
Historical Examples
And you see I had set my heart on her being Caroline's bridesmaid.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
She accepted him; and I was, indeed, happy when I officiated as bridesmaid for her.
"I've no bridesmaid to throw it to," she said, extending289 it toward Stuart.
Under the Country SkyGrace S. Richmond
"If you are a bridesmaid the third time, you will never be a bride," said some of the wiseacres.
A Little Girl in Old SalemAmanda Minnie Douglas
I had counted on having you for bridesmaid, and you would not come home.
Marion's Faith.Charles King
bridesmaid
- a girl or young unmarried woman who attends a bride at her weddingCompare matron of honour, maid of honour
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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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper