plural girls
1
a(1)
: a female child from birth to adulthood
a seven-year-old girl
(2)
: a person whose gender identity is female
… narrator Taylor Meskimen draws listeners into the emotional life of Zenobia July, a tech-savvy trans girl who's facing a new year at a new middle school.—Rebecca Honeycutt
b
: daughter
Papa's answer was quiet. "I thought I taught you to read, my girl."—Markus Zusak
c
: a young woman
The twenty-seven-year-old singer is a natural beauty. … She projects unassuming confidence. … You can't help but agree with her. She's that girl.—Jenny Eliscu
d
sometimes offensive
: a single or married woman of any age
2
: a female romantic partner : girlfriend
He's an easy-to-root-for protagonist in this flick as a guy just doing his best by his girl …—Rob Stewart
3
US, informal
a
: a female friend
I love going to a spa and dinner with my girls.—Karen Clifton
b
—used as a friendly way of addressing a woman or girl
Hey girl, I like your taste in Christmas gifts.—Miranda Crace
Girl, you need to give yourself some credit.—John Van Meter
4
: a woman or girl native to a given place
a local girl
She was a city girl at heart.
5
: a female domesticated animal and especially a pet
She … is still mastering the art of being a good girl, as any 3-month-old puppy is.—Rotorua (New Zealand) Weekender
Keeping low-key when leaving and returning is essential. Just a "Bye!" and "Be a good girl!" when you leave is plenty. Your dog will be busy with her goodies dispenser, anyway, and probably won't notice when you leave.—Ed Bailey
Eve is a 10-year-old female kitty who is an independent pretty girl …—Jackson (Michigan) Citizen Patriot: Web Edition Articles
6
dated, offensive
: a female servant or enslaved woman
also
: a female employee
Cite this Entry
“Girl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girl. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.
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