damsel

noun

dam·​sel ˈdam-zəl How to pronounce damsel (audio)
variants or less commonly damosel or damozel
: a young woman:
a
archaic : a young unmarried woman of noble birth
b
: girl

Examples of damsel in a Sentence

knights are celebrated in fairy tales for rescuing damsels in distress
Recent Examples on the Web See recent attempts by Disney to broaden the scope of its Marvel and Star Wars franchises, or Nintendo this month transforming its popular damsel in distress Princess Zelda into a hero. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 Initially the group’s damsel in distress, Daphne grew into a more independent character that could fend for herself. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024 She’s been the damsel in distress (Dead Calm, Far and Away), the femme fatale (Moulin Rouge, The Human Stain), the unknowable ingenue (Birthday Girl, Dogville), the witch (Practical Magic, Bewitched). Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2024 Disney started making princess movies where the damsels saved each other rather than relying on a prince’s kiss. Constance Grady, Vox, 2 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for damsel 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'damsel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English damesel, from Anglo-French dameisele, from Vulgar Latin *domnicella young noblewoman, diminutive of Latin domina lady

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damsel was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near damsel

Cite this Entry

“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damsel. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

damsel

noun
dam·​sel ˈdam-zəl How to pronounce damsel (audio)
variants also damosel or damozel
ˈdam-ə-ˌzel
Etymology

Middle English damesel "damsel," from early French dameisele (same meaning), from Latin domina "lady, mistress" — related to dame

More from Merriam-Webster on damsel

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