Word
maiden
Phoneticsmaid·en, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmeɪdən/
UK/mˈeɪdən/
Definitions
01young woman
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a young woman who is not married.
n. a girl or young woman, typically unmarried. Often used in a romantic or historical context.
“The old stories often tell of a brave knight saving a maiden in trouble.”
“The poet depicted the maiden wandering through the garden, using her youth and innocence as a metaphor for the coming spring.”
Usage
Usually found in poetry, folk tales, or historical fiction rather than modern conversation.
02the first time
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. the very first time that something, like a ship or a plane, makes a journey.
adj. denoting the first occurrence or event of its kind, particularly regarding a vessel's first voyage or a politician's first speech.
“The huge ship sank on its maiden voyage across the ocean.”
“The senator's maiden speech in the chamber was met with unexpected applause from both sides of the aisle.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'voyage', 'flight', or 'speech'.
03cricket
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports British English
n. a part of a cricket game where the batter does not score any runs.
n. an over in which no runs are scored off the bat. Shortened form of 'maiden over'.
“The bowler was very happy after throwing a maiden in the final minutes.”
“He managed to bowl three consecutive maidens, putting immense pressure on the opening batsmen during the morning session.”
Usage
Used as a countable noun in the context of cricket matches.
04horse racing
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a horse that has never won a race.
n. a racehorse that has not yet won a race; also refers to a race specifically for such horses.
“The trainer believes this maiden has a good chance of winning today.”
“The afternoon schedule features a six-furlong sprint for maidens, attracting several promising two-year-olds from the local stables.”
Antonyms
05the constellation Virgo
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Literary
n. another name for the star sign or constellation called Virgo.
n. a personification or name for the constellation and zodiacal sign Virgo.
“In the night sky, the Maiden is one of the largest constellations.”
“Ancient astronomers often associated the Maiden with the goddess of justice, depicting her holding a sheaf of wheat.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“This was only British number one Fery's second appearance at an overseas major, following his maiden Australian Open campaign in January.” “Usman was the pick of an otherwise largely ineffective all-pace attack with 5-92 in 23 overs, his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket coming in just his third match.” Etymology
From Middle English mayden, meiden, from Old English mæġden (“girl”), originally a diminutive of mæġeþ (“girl”) via diminutive suffix -en, from Proto-West Germanic magaþ, from Proto-Germanic magaþs. Equivalent to maid + -en.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
02. ice maiden
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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