plural girls
1
a(1)
: a female child from birth to adulthood
a seven-year-old girl
(2)
: a person whose gender identity is female
… narrator Taylor Meskimen draws listeners into the emotional life of Zenobia July, a tech-savvy trans girl who's facing a new year at a new middle school.—
Rebecca Honeycutt
Rebecca Honeycutt
b
: daughter
Papa's answer was quiet. "I thought I taught you to read, my girl."—Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak
c
: a young woman
d
sometimes offensive
: a single or married woman of any age
2
: a female romantic partner : girlfriend
3
US, informal
a
: a female friend
I love going to a spa and dinner with my girls.—Karen Clifton
Karen Clifton
b
—used as a friendly way of addressing a woman or girl
Hey girl, I like your taste in Christmas gifts.—Miranda Crace
Miranda CraceGirl, you need to give yourself some credit.—John Van Meter
John Van Meter4
: a woman or girl native to a given place
a local girl
She was a city girl at heart.
5
: a female domesticated animal and especially a pet
She … is still mastering the art of being a good girl, as any 3-month-old puppy is.—Rotorua (New Zealand) Weekender
Rotorua (New Zealand) WeekenderKeeping low-key when leaving and returning is essential. Just a "Bye!" and "Be a good girl!" when you leave is plenty. Your dog will be busy with her goodies dispenser, anyway, and probably won't notice when you leave.—Ed Bailey
Ed BaileyEve is a 10-year-old female kitty who is an independent pretty girl …—Jackson (Michigan) Citizen Patriot: Web Edition Articles
Jackson (Michigan) Citizen Patriot: Web Edition Articles6
dated, offensive
: a female servant or enslaved woman
also
: a female employee
Examples of girl in a Sentence
Is this your little girl?
a group of teenage girls
His parents hope he'll soon find a nice girl, settle down, and get married.
Wait till the girls back home hear about this!
Our boss thinks of herself as just one of the girls.
She went out dancing with the girls.
They just hired a new girl to do the filing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ahead of the matchups, take a look through photos of KHSAA boys and girls players who stand out with our gallery.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
The internet personality — who started modeling as a ring card girl for Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's boxing company, Most Valuable Promotions, in May 2025 — had a viral moment in July during the Taylor-Serrano match at Madison Square Garden, which aired on Netflix.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
The Epstein scandal, in that framing, is not primarily about what was done to girls and young women over many years, but about who among the elite might be embarrassed, implicated or exposed.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Not only are these Harssidanzar Leather Gloves built to withstand freezing-cold climates with their windproof surface, supremely soft lining, and flexible leather, but the sleek red exterior is made to pop against your monochromatic cold-weather outfit for a cool-girl look without even trying.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025
So her return is noble, but also, that was her girl.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
Go on, give us something, girl!
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Once a horse girl, always a horse girl.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025
Another person, a teenage girl who was pulled out of the home, died on the way to Sinai-Grace Hospital.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
The internet personality — who started modeling as a ring card girl for Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's boxing company, Most Valuable Promotions, in May 2025 — had a viral moment in July during the Taylor-Serrano match at Madison Square Garden, which aired on Netflix.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
The Epstein scandal, in that framing, is not primarily about what was done to girls and young women over many years, but about who among the elite might be embarrassed, implicated or exposed.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Not only are these Harssidanzar Leather Gloves built to withstand freezing-cold climates with their windproof surface, supremely soft lining, and flexible leather, but the sleek red exterior is made to pop against your monochromatic cold-weather outfit for a cool-girl look without even trying.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025
So her return is noble, but also, that was her girl.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
Go on, give us something, girl!
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Once a horse girl, always a horse girl.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025
Another person, a teenage girl who was pulled out of the home, died on the way to Sinai-Grace Hospital.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Girl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girl. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
girl
noun1
a
: a female child
b
: a young woman
2
offensive
: a female servant
—used especially in the past
3
Etymology
Middle English gurle, girle "a young person of either sex"
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