girlfriend
Girlfriend (noun) means a woman in an ongoing, unmarried romantic relationship with someone. Example: “He's been dating the same girlfriend for three years.”
How to Use Girlfriend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA female romantic partner, or (informally, especially among women) a close female friend.
Word Forms
girlfriended past tense, girlfriends plural, girlfriends singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's been dating the same _____ for three years.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of girl + friend, formed in English.
Related Words
Rhymes for girlfriend
See all rhymes for girlfriend →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “girlfriend” mean?
The word “girlfriend” means a woman in an ongoing, unmarried romantic relationship with someone. In plain terms, a female romantic partner, or (informally, especially among women) a close female friend.
How do you pronounce “girlfriend”?
“Girlfriend” is pronounced GURLF-rehnd (/ˈɡɝlfɹɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “girlfriend” in a sentence?
Here is “girlfriend” used in a sentence: “He's been dating the same girlfriend for three years.”
What part of speech is “girlfriend”?
“Girlfriend” is a noun.
Is “girlfriend” a common word?
“Girlfriend” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “girlfriend” have?
“Girlfriend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a woman in an ongoing, unmarried romantic relationship with someone.
What is the difference between a girlfriend and a wife?
A girlfriend is a woman in an ongoing, unmarried romantic relationship. A wife is a woman who is legally married to her partner. The key difference is marriage: a girlfriend relationship carries no formal legal status, while a marriage is a legal and often ceremonial commitment. A girlfriend may later become a wife.
Does girlfriend always mean a romantic partner?
Not always. In its main sense, a girlfriend is a woman in a romantic relationship. But the word is also used casually, especially among women, to mean a close female friend — as in "a night out with my girlfriends." Context and tone usually make the intended meaning clear.