What is girlfriend? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of girlfriend in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of girlfriend

girlfriendnoun
bạn gái, người yêu
/ˈɡəːlfrɛnd/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>girlfriend</strong>

Where does the word girlfriend come from?

"Girlfriend" emerged in the late 19th century, merging the existing words "girl" and "friend." It originally signified a female friend, but its meaning shifted in the early 20th century to denote a romantic partner, likely influenced by the rise of dating and the growing independence of women. The term's evolution reflects societal shifts in female agency and relationships, showcasing a transition from platonic to romantic connotations.

Example of vocabulary girlfriendnamespace

a girl or a woman that somebody is having a romantic relationship with

He’s got a new girlfriend.
I ran into a former girlfriend at the party.
John introduced his girlfriend, Sarah, to his friends at a dinner party on Saturday night.
Emily's girlfriend surprised her with a weekend getaway to a cozy cabin in the woods.
Sarah had a new outfit picked out for her girlfriend's birthday dinner at their favorite restaurant.

a female friend