girl next door

American  

[gurl nekst dawr] / ˈgɜrl ˌnɛkst ˈdɔr /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of girl next door

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

girl next door

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.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025

Thus she may be shocked to discover that the world views her as reality TV platinum – part wholesome girl next door, part Anna Delvey.

From Salon ● Jan. 6, 2024

It soon became obvious that the glammed-up girl next door can still push emotional buttons few other pop stars can reach.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2022

“Then it sat on its side and it was complete silence. I sat there and didn’t hear anything. Then I heard a little girl next door crying.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2022

And then I realize she is the girl next door...the girl next door to Al Capone?

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko