girl next door

[gurl nekst dawr]

noun

1. a girl or woman who exemplifies traditional or old-fashioned norms of behavior, gender, and beauty, and is generally considered to be pleasant, unassuming, familiar, and uncontroversial (often used attributively).

   People still think of me as that goody-goody girl next door.

   The actresses, with their girl next door image, make audiences swoon with their big smiles and friendly eyes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of girl next door¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Any way you slice it, Keaton, who died Saturday at 79, was a titan of American film acting—a quirky homegrown original, the quintessential girl next door, if your neighbors happened to be a family of smart, great-looking, irrepressible goofballs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Diane Keaton may have looked like the All-American girl next door, but she could knock someone twice her size flat out of the ring.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The brunette poses for photos and showcases a fully AI-generated comedy sketch, where it is described as having "girl next door vibes."

Read more on BBC

Buyers want to feel like they’re supporting the girl next door.

Read more on Salon

Holmes was only 18 when she was cast as Joey, the snarky girl next door on “Dawson’s Creek.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times