girlfriend English · revision 3970

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1859|origins=en girl friend}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɡɜːl.frend/, US /ˈɡɝːl.frend/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound [[af|en|girl|friend]], also written girl-friend.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A woman's female friend in youth: by 1859.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a man's sweetheart it is from 1922.^(Etymonline) ''She-friend'' was used in the 17th century in the same senses, of a man's mistress and of a woman's close friend.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1859 – a woman's female friend.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1922 – a man's sweetheart.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A regular female companion in a romantic or sexual relationship; a [[sweetheart]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A female friend.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[girl]]

+ * [[friend]]

+ * [[boyfriend]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}