damsel

noun

dam·​sel ˈdam-zəl 

variants or less commonly damosel or damozel

ˈda-mə-ˌzel 

: a young woman:

a

archaic : a young unmarried woman of noble birth

b

: girl

Synonyms

• demoiselle
• girl
• maid
• maiden
• miss

Examples of damsel in a Sentence

knights are celebrated in fairy tales for rescuing damsels in distress

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo: Courtesy of Everett Collection Look to this film for another Christmastime tale of a shoplifting damsel in distress—this time, a single mother and war widow played by Janet Leigh. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2024

This rhetoric of the male as a protector portrays women as helpless damsels incapable of defending themselves. —Ivelisse Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

This is the first time that the gaming company released two video games that feature Princess Zelda and Princess Peach as playable protagonists instead of as just damsels in distress. —Rudie Obias, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024

See recent attempts by Disney to broaden the scope of its Marvel and Star Wars franchises, or Nintendo this month transforming its popular damsel in distress Princess Zelda into a hero. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English damesel, from Anglo-French dameisele, from Vulgar Latin *domnicella young noblewoman, diminutive of Latin domina lady

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

damsel

noun

dam·​sel ˈdam-zəl 

variants also damosel or damozel

ˈdam-ə-ˌzel

: girl sense 1b, maiden

Etymology

Middle English damesel "damsel," from early French dameisele (same meaning), from Latin domina "lady, mistress" — related to dame