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.

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Origin of bridesmaid

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

Words nearby bridesmaid

Bridalveil, bridal wreath, bride, bridegroom, bride price, bridesmaid, bridewell, Bridey, bridezilla, bridge, bridgeboard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences 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

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bridesmaid

noun

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Origin of bridesmaid

Words nearby bridesmaid

Example sentences from the Web for bridesmaid

British Dictionary definitions for bridesmaid

noun