princess

1 of 2

noun

prin·​cess ˈprin(t)-səs How to pronounce princess (audio)
ˈprin-ˌses,
 (usually British)  prin-ˈses
1
archaic : a woman having sovereign power
2
: a female member of a royal family
especially : a daughter or granddaughter of a sovereign
3
: the consort of a prince
4
: one likened to a princess
especially : a woman of high rank or of high standing in her class or profession
a pop music princess

princess

2 of 2

adjective

prin·​cess ˈprin(t)-səs How to pronounce princess (audio)
ˈprin-ˌses,
 (usually British)  prin-ˈses
variants or princesse
: close-fitting and usually with gores from neck to flaring hemline
a princess gown

Examples of princess in a Sentence

Noun She's just a stuck-up princess. as the reigning princess of pop music, she exerts an enormous influence over teens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy, the princess returned to royal duties, helping to share the workload with King Charles, who revealed his own cancer diagnosis in February, and Queen Camilla, who has been intermittently ill. Sarah Young, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 The film is a rich tapestry of scenes in rainy, dark woods and golden interiors, like the warm castle parlor where Henry woos Katherine, the princess of France, played dazzlingly by Branagh’s then partner, Emma Thompson. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Cassie also frequently praises Fine’s parenting on social media, and shares peeks into his girl-dad duties — which include everything from princess dress-up sessions and Spice Girls dance parties to skating lessons and tropical family vacations. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024 On his Instagram Stories, Martin also shared a mid-flight selfie from an airplane seat, holding a princess doll and looking out the window. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for princess 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French princesse princess, from prince

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of princess was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near princess

Cite this Entry

“Princess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/princess. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

princess

noun
prin·​cess
ˈprin(t)-səs,
ˈprin-ˌses,
prin-ˈses
1
: a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch : a female member of a royal family
2
: the wife of a prince

More from Merriam-Webster on princess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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