maiden Definition
- 1a girl or young woman, especially an unmarried one
- 2an unmarried woman who is beyond the usual age for marriage
- 3the first or earliest of its kind
Using maiden: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "maiden" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She was a fair maiden with long golden hair.
Example
The old maiden lived alone in the cottage.
Example
This is the maiden voyage of the new ship.
Example
The maiden edition of the book sold out quickly.
maiden Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using maiden
Example
She was afraid of becoming an old maid and never finding a husband.
Example
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
Example
My maiden aunt always sends me a birthday card.
Phrases with maiden
Example
Her maiden name was Smith.
Example
The MP delivered her maiden speech to the House of Commons.
a cricket term referring to an over in which no runs are scored and no wickets are taken
Example
The bowler delivered a maiden over to start the match.
Origins of maiden
from Old English 'mægden', meaning 'virgin, unmarried woman'
Summary: maiden in Brief
The term 'maiden' [ˈmeɪdn] refers to a girl or young woman, especially an unmarried one. It can also refer to an unmarried woman who is beyond the usual age for marriage. Additionally, it can mean the first or earliest of its kind, as in 'This is the maiden voyage of the new ship.' 'Maiden' extends into phrases like 'maiden name,' and idioms like 'old maid,' denoting an unmarried woman, and 'maiden voyage,' referring to the first voyage of a ship.