damsel

American  

[dam-zuhl] / ˈdæm zəl /

noun

Literary.

1. a young woman or girl; a maiden, originally one of gentle or noble birth.

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damsel British  

/ ˈdæmzəl /

noun

1. archaic a young unmarried woman; maiden

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Etymology

Origin of damsel

1150–1200; Middle English damisel < Anglo-French ( Old French damoisele ) < Vulgar Latin *dominicella, equivalent to Latin domin ( a ) lady ( see dame) + -i- -i- + -cella feminine diminutive suffix

Explanation

A young, unmarried woman is a damsel. If you've ever seen a young girl being chased by a rabid dog, then you've witnessed a damsel in distress! The word damsel is a shortened version of the French word, mademoiselle, which is what the French call a young woman who is not married — like the word miss in English. Damsel was originally a word reserved for noblewomen — the rich and fabulous. Nowadays even regular unmarried Janes can be referred to as damsel, though you're really most likely to come across the word damsel being rescued by a prince in a fairytale.

Example Sentences

Though set in Ghost Town with period garb, there are modern flourishes, such as tongue-in-cheek nods to the theme park’s attractions and a damsel in distress who ultimately proves to be anything but.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Dunst, 41, says it is refreshing her character is the lead in an action film and not a "damsel in distress".

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2024

Working from Andrew Lobel’s script, the director Michael Mohan delivers his damsel — a fresh-faced American, Cecilia, played by Sydney Sweeney — to the convent with unceremonious briskness.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

But also, it has a lot of humor surrounding it, because it's that damsel in distress kind of character.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2023

Then a handmade dragon approached, and the crowd screamed as the dragon opened wide its jaws to eat the damsel.

From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick