princess

American  

[prin-sis, -ses, prin-ses] / ˈprɪn sɪs, -sɛs, prɪnˈsɛs /

noun

princesses plural

1. a nonreigning female member of a royal family.

2. History/Historical. a female sovereign or monarch; queen.

3. the consort of a prince.

4. (in Great Britain) a daughter or granddaughter (if the child of a son) of a king or queen.

5. a woman considered to have the qualities or characteristics of a princess.

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adjective

1. Also princesse. (of a woman's dress, coat, or the like) styled with a close-fitting bodice and flared skirt, cut in single pieces, as gores, from shoulder to hem.

princess British  

/ prɪnˈsɛs /

noun

1. (in Britain) a daughter of the sovereign or of one of the sovereign's sons

2. a nonreigning female member of a sovereign family

3. the wife and consort of a prince

4. any very attractive or outstanding woman

5. Also called: princess dress.   princess line.  a style of dress with a fitted bodice and an A-line skirt that is shaped by seams from shoulder to hem without a seam at the waistline

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Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• princesslike
  adjective
• princessly
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• princesses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of princess

1350–1400; Middle English princesse < Middle French. See prince, -ess

Explanation

A princess is the daughter of a king or queen, or the wife of a prince. Some children like to have princess parties because they get to wear fancy dresses, tiaras, and little plastic high heels. In countries that are monarchies, rulers are born into their positions and are typically called kings and queens. If they have a daughter, she’s a princess. Women who marry into these families can also become princesses. The popular image of a princess might be Cinderella dressed for the ball, but modern princesses look a lot more like ordinary people. Princess is the feminine form of prince, from the Latin princeps, "chief leader."

Example Sentences

China fell in love with its 'snow princess' at the Beijing 2022 Olympics where, as the poster girl of the Games, she duly delivered.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

While, like Diana, she has exponentially more charisma than the average royal, Meghan doesn't possess the late princess' messy vulnerability.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

Rampant speculation ran amok about the princess’ retreat from the public eye, fueling months of broad concern about her condition and whereabouts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2025

After the princess' surgery, which Kensington Palace has said was successful, experts revealed cancer had been present.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2024

And the Marquis lost his heart At the beautiful princess’ smile; And the very next day the two were wed, In wonderful state and style.

From On the Tree Top by Curtis, Jessie

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
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