damsel

noun

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

Synonyms of damsel

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Examples of damsel in a Sentence

knights are celebrated in fairy tales for rescuing damsels in distress
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.
But the damsel isn’t in distress, the monster isn’t so bad, and some raunchy jokes may go over kids’ heads (but will likely delight parents). — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 Yes, many of these bugs, such as the damsel bug and lacewing, prey on pests like aphids and caterpillars, helping to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 May 2026 This gender flipped, damsel-in-distress scenario continues to play out for Veska is no ordinary woman. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2026 The brave lifeguard risks life and limb to stab and punch the killer fish and rescue the damsel in distress, only to lose her to a man in a spacesuit walking along the sand who removes his helmet as the woman sprints to our space hero. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for damsel

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

Browse Nearby Words

Damrosch
damsel
damsel bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damsel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

damsel

noun
dam·​sel ˈdam-zəl How to pronounce damsel (audio)
variants also damosel or damozel
ˈdam-ə-ˌzel
: girl sense 1b, maiden
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

Nglish: Translation of damsel for Spanish Speakers

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