maid

American  

[meyd] / meɪd /

noun

1. a female domestic employee who cleans tourist accommodations or does cleaning or other housework in a home.

   a hotel maid.

2. a female domestic servant with any of various duties, especially in a large house (often used in combination).

   a kitchen maid who assisted the cook; a handmaid; a lady’s maid; a nursery maid.

3. Archaic. a girl or young unmarried woman.

4. Archaic. a female virgin.

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maid British  

/ meɪd /

noun

1. archaic a young unmarried girl; maiden

2. 1. a female servant

   2. ( in combination )

      a housemaid

3. a spinster

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Other Word Forms

• maidish adjective
• maidishness noun
• submaid noun
• undermaid noun

Etymology

Origin of maid

First recorded in 1225–1275; Middle English maide, maid, shortened variant of maiden

Example Sentences

Many of the exiled Venezuelans survive as street vendors, delivery drivers and maids.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Christmas Day, rugby star Meg Jones will be on a plane travelling to India, where she will be maid of honour at her best friend's wedding.

From BBC

When Millie moves into the maid’s quarters in the attic, she discovers that the Winchester home isn’t as picture-perfect as it seemed.

From Los Angeles Times

I sent the maid of honor a picture of me in the dress months ago and she said it was fine.

From MarketWatch

The Bacevicius sisters, dressed in silk saris draped and pinned by maids at their hotel, got backstage access at the New Delhi wedding they attended.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• au pair
• chambermaid
• girl
• housemaid