noun
damsel
DAM-zuhl
Damsel (noun) means an old-fashioned or literary word for a young, unmarried woman, especially one in a story who needs rescuing. Example: “The knight rode off to save the damsel from the dragon.”
noun
1
An old-fashioned or literary word for a young, unmarried woman, especially one in a story who needs rescuing.
"The knight rode off to save the damsel from the dragon."
"In old fairy tales, the damsel is usually locked in a tower."
How to use damsel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young lady, almost always used now in the phrase "damsel in distress" rather than in everyday speech.
When to use it
Archaic or deliberately old-fashioned/literary; not used to describe real women in modern conversation.
Common pairings
damsel in distress
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Word forms
- Plural
- damsels
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight rode off to save the _____ from the dragon.
Etymology
From Old French damoisele, ultimately from Latin domina ("lady, mistress") — the same root that gave us "dame" and the French demoiselle.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “damsel” mean?
The word “damsel” means an old-fashioned or literary word for a young, unmarried woman, especially one in a story who needs rescuing. In plain terms, a young lady, almost always used now in the phrase "damsel in distress" rather than in everyday speech.
How do you pronounce “damsel”?
“Damsel” is pronounced DAM-zuhl (/ˈdæm.zəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “damsel” in a sentence?
Here is “damsel” used in a sentence: “The knight rode off to save the damsel from the dragon.”
What part of speech is “damsel”?
“Damsel” is a noun.
Where does the word “damsel” come from?
The word “damsel” comes from Latin. From Old French damoisele, ultimately from Latin domina ("lady, mistress") — the same root that gave us "dame" and the French demoiselle.
