maid

[ meyd ]

noun

1. a female domestic employee who cleans tourist accommodations or does cleaning or other housework in a home:

   a hotel maid.

2. a female domestic servant with any of various duties, especially in a large house (often used in combination):

   a kitchen maid who assisted the cook; a handmaid; a lady’s maid; a nursery maid.

3. Archaic. a girl or young unmarried woman.
4. Archaic. a female virgin.

maid

/ meɪd /

noun

1. archaic.
   a young unmarried girl; maiden
2. 1. a female servant
   2. ( in combination )

      a housemaid

3. a spinster

Derived Forms

• ˈmaidish, adjective
• ˈmaidishness, noun

Other Words From

• maidish adjective
• maidish·ness noun
• submaid noun
• under·maid noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maid¹

First recorded in 1225–1275; Middle English maide, maid, shortened variant of maiden

Word History and Origins

Origin of maid¹

C12: shortened form of maiden

Example Sentences

The BBC has also heard accounts from other women who say they were recruited as nannies, chefs and maids who say they were abused at his private residences.

From BBC

I thought, ‘Hooray,’ he’s going to give me a role as a maid.’

From Los Angeles Times

He describes his job as being a meter maid.

From Salon

In this version, Callas sings this aria while telling her maid that she has just seen the appearance of a ghost near a fountain.

From Salon

Indonesia was an obvious substitute: a nation that was 87% Muslim and whose people were already familiar to many in Saudi Arabia as immigrants who had come to work as maids or drivers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• au pair
• chambermaid
• girl
• housemaid