# bridesmaid

/ˈbɹaɪdzˌmeɪd/ (US) · /bɹˈaɪdsmeɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bridesmaid
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a woman or girl who helps the bride during a wedding. You usually choose your close friends or sisters for this role.

For teachers: a female attendant who assists the bride during a wedding ceremony. Often used metaphorically in the phrase 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride' to describe someone who never achieves top success.

## Examples

- My sister asked me to be her bridesmaid next summer.
- The bridesmaids wore matching silk dresses and carried small bouquets as they walked down the aisle.
- While the maid of honour handles most of the logistical planning, each bridesmaid is expected to provide emotional support and assist with the ceremony's choreography.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural when referring to the entire group of attendants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.