DictionaryAI

girlfriend

noun
SayGURL-frend/ˈɡɝlfɹɛnd/UK/ˈɡɜːlfɹɛnd/

Pluralgirlfriends

4 meanings of girlfriend

Practice

  1. 1
    dating partnernouncountable
    A woman or girl that someone is dating but is not married to.

    He introduced his girlfriend to his parents over dinner.

    She has had the same girlfriend since their last year of college.

    Similarpartner, sweetheart

    Oppositeboyfriend

    Note
  2. 2
    female palnouncountable
    A woman's or girl's female friend, not a romantic partner.

    My grandmother often met her girlfriends for tea on Sunday afternoons.

    She went shopping downtown with a girlfriend from her church group.

    UsageSay my girlfriends for women friends. My girlfriend usually means a partner.

    Similarfriend

    Note
  3. 3
    term of addressnouncountable
    A friendly word used to call a close female friend, also used among gay men.

    Girlfriend, you will not believe what happened to me today!

    Come on, girlfriend, let's grab lunch before the meeting.

    UsageUse girlfriend without a or the when speaking directly to someone: Girlfriend, you look great!

    Similargirl, honey

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    gay male palnouncountable
    Among gay men, a male friend rather than someone they are dating.

    Marcus and his girlfriends, a tight group of gay men, vacation together every summer.

    "He's not my boyfriend, he's my girlfriend," Daniel laughed, explaining that the two men were just close pals.

    Similarfriend

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of girlfriend apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from putting together the words "girl" and "friend."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact