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
variants or princesse
: 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
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Noun
Princess Anne’s red lips The princess rarely strays from her beauty comfort zone. Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 20 June 2026 In one section, Mayer turns her focus to Diana, portraying the late princess as a woman whose extraordinary capacity for empathy was matched by a deep belief in romance — and whose hopes for love often collided with reality. Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Adjective
At the event, unhoused Black girls decked out in princess outfits came to the Department of Education for a day of reading. Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 June 2026 These nails are ready for your best princess wave. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 June 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 25 Jun. 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

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