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

Bridesmaid + 1: To those who have grown weary of wedding questions, please note: This is not a wedding question.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2022

John Everett Millais' Bridesmaid dons a floral mask to match her silk gown, while The Twins prepare for an outing with their faithful hound.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2020

So far, the Bridesmaid actress has stuck with long sleeves, but with the warmer weather, we'd love to see her pick something a little more flashy.

From Time • Feb. 18, 2012

The Bridesmaid Wore White: Dear Prudence advises a bride whose attendant threatens to upstage her—during a live chat at Washingtonpost.com.” Posted May 2, 2011.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2012

A very beautiful herbaceous peony known as "Bridesmaid" after having grown for a number of years in single form, in one year wherever grown suddenly became double.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas