adj
Common
maiden
MAY-duhn
Maiden (adj) means describing the first occurrence of something, such as a journey, speech, or attempt. Example: “The ship set out on its maiden voyage to great fanfare.”
adj
1
Describing the first occurrence of something, such as a journey, speech, or attempt.
"The ship set out on its maiden voyage to great fanfare."
"The MP gave her maiden speech in Parliament last week."
"The author's maiden novel was a surprise success."
2
Never married; unmarried (used of a woman, now somewhat old-fashioned).
"She lived out her days as a maiden aunt, doting on her nieces and nephews."
noun
1
(literary or old-fashioned) A young unmarried woman.
"The old ballad tells of a fair maiden waiting for her love to return."
"In the fairy tale, a brave maiden outwits the wicked king."
"The statue shows a maiden carrying a jug of water to the well."
How to use maiden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used today for a "first" of something (maiden voyage, maiden speech); as a noun for a young woman it now sounds old-fashioned or poetic.
Common mistake
Outside set phrases like "maiden voyage" or "maiden name", calling a woman "a maiden" sounds archaic in everyday modern English.
Common pairings
maiden voyage
maiden speech
maiden name
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Word forms
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The ship set out on its _____ voyage to great fanfare.
Etymology
From Old English maegden, "girl", ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "girl" or "virgin".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for maiden
See all rhymes for maiden →Frequently asked questions
What does “maiden” mean?
The word “maiden” means describing the first occurrence of something, such as a journey, speech, or attempt. In plain terms, most often used today for a "first" of something (maiden voyage, maiden speech); as a noun for a young woman it now sounds old-fashioned or poetic.
How do you pronounce “maiden”?
“Maiden” is pronounced MAY-duhn (/ˈmeɪdən/ in IPA).
How do you use “maiden” in a sentence?
Here is “maiden” used in a sentence: “The ship set out on its maiden voyage to great fanfare.”
What is another word for “maiden”?
Words with a similar meaning to “maiden” include maidenly.
What is the opposite of “maiden”?
The opposite of “maiden” — its antonyms — is Master.
What part of speech is “maiden”?
Depending on how it is used, “maiden” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “maiden” come from?
The word “maiden” comes from Old English. From Old English maegden, "girl", ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "girl" or "virgin".
Is “maiden” a common word?
“Maiden” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does maiden mean when describing a first event, like a maiden voyage?
When used this way, maiden describes the first occurrence of something, such as a journey, speech, or attempt. A 'maiden voyage' is a ship's first official trip, and a 'maiden speech' is someone's first speech in a new role.
What is the difference between maiden and maid?
Maid usually refers to a woman employed for domestic work or, in older usage, a young unmarried woman, while maiden functions mainly as an adjective describing a first occurrence, or as an old-fashioned noun for a young unmarried woman. Their overlapping older sense means both can refer to an unmarried young woman, but maiden is more commonly used today as a descriptive adjective.
Is maiden still used to mean an unmarried woman in modern English?
No, using maiden as a noun for an unmarried woman is now considered old-fashioned or literary rather than everyday modern usage. It survives mainly in phrases like 'maiden name,' referring to a woman's surname before marriage.
