girlboss

American  

[gurl-baws, -bos] / ˈgɜrlˌbɔs, -ˌbɒs /

noun

Informal.

1. a woman, especially a young woman, who is ambitious and successful in her career.

   This guide will help you get it together so that you can accomplish your goals and be a girlboss!

   My girlboss of a sister graduated five years ago and has already been promoted twice.

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Etymology

Origin of girlboss

Popularized in 2014 by U.S. businesswoman Sophia Amoruso (born 1984) in her book Girlboss; girl ( def. ) + boss ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In her fourth outing with Mr. Lanthimos, Emma Stone again shows an impressively daring quality in a grueling and degrading role, which spoofs today’s clichés about girlboss power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Whether this makes the movie an innately feminist work or, as some detractors have claimed, a superficial girlboss narrative is certainly open to debate.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2023

Karla: Meet the girlboss, same as the old boss.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2023

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss England’s late queen and new prime minister, the troubles of DWAC’s SPAC, and the demise of girlboss hangout The Wing.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2022

Vox may exalt in the demise of "the girlboss," but I don't find cause for joy.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2022