girlfriend

noun

girl·​friend ˈgər(-ə)l-ˌfrend How to pronounce girlfriend (audio)
1
: a female friend
2
: a frequent or regular female companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

Examples of girlfriend in a Sentence

My girlfriend and I have only been dating for a couple of months. She spends hours talking on the phone with her girlfriends.
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.
Quaid plays an assistant bank manager in the action comedy, who uses his inability to feel pain to his advantage when tracking down a trio of robbers who took his girlfriend (Amber Midthunder) hostage in a violent bank heist. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Since his debut in 2019, Rema says he’s had three girlfriends, with his longest relationship lasting two and a half years. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025 Bill Belichick's 23-year-old girlfriend is apparently tapped into all things in Chapel Hill. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025 The sweet moment melted hearts across TikTok, with many users praising the girlfriend's quick thinking and dedication. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for girlfriend

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of girlfriend was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Girlfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girlfriend. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

girlfriend

noun
girl·​friend ˈgər(-ə)l-ˌfrend How to pronounce girlfriend (audio)
1
: a female friend
2
: a regular female companion in a romantic relationship

More from Merriam-Webster on girlfriend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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