princess

1 of 2

noun

prin·​cess ˈprin(t)-səs How to pronounce princess (audio)
ˈprin-ˌses
(usually British) prin-ˈses
Synonyms of princessnext
1
archaic : a woman having sovereign power
2
: a female member of a royal family
especially : a daughter or granddaughter of a sovereign
3
: the consort of a prince
4
: one likened to a princess
especially : a woman of high rank or of high standing in her class or profession
a pop music princess

princess

2 of 2

adjective

prin·​cess ˈprin(t)-səs How to pronounce princess (audio)
ˈprin-ˌses
(usually British) prin-ˈses
: close-fitting and usually with gores from neck to flaring hemline
a princess gown

Synonyms of princess

Examples of princess in a Sentence

Noun She's just a stuck-up princess. as the reigning princess of pop music, she exerts an enormous influence over teens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The princess has also increasingly made the importance of nature a focus of her work, including last year's release of a four-part video series on the power of nature. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 When Sita begs Rama to follow a demon disguised as a beautiful golden deer, Rama draws a magical protective circle around the princess and instructs her to stay within the circle’s borders. — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The poor woman just wanted to be her princess self and get a good night’s rest. — Jaklin Romine oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Rice invited her to arrive in costume and incorporated the princess appearance into the celebration. — Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for princess

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French princesse princess, from prince

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of princess was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Princess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/princess. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

princess

noun
prin·​cess
ˈprin(t)-səs, 
ˈprin-ˌses, 
prin-ˈses
1
: a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch : a female member of a royal family
2
: the wife of a prince

More from Merriam-Webster on princess

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster