girl - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
girl Word Meanings
- a female child
- a young woman
- a term of endearment for a woman
girl Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
girl Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɡɜːl/
US
/ɡɜrl/
girl Word Etymology
The word 'girl' comes from the Old English 'gyrela', meaning 'young person of either sex'. In the 15th century, it became gender-specific. Imagine a young girl playing with a doll, which vividly represents her youth and femininity.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I push open a gate and watch a girl as she starts to move along the path, her steps catching the wind. Her pace shifts with a sudden laugh, and I adjust my own pace to keep her in sight. Later, in a cafe, I set my voice for warmth and call her 'girl' as a term of endearment. The moment lands softly, and the word settles into a flexible cue you can use with a child or a peer.
Real Context
Girl is a versatile noun with three main senses. It can mean a female child, a young woman, or be used as a term of endearment for a woman in affectionate speech. Historically it comes from the Old English gyrela, meaning a young person of either sex; by the 15th century it narrowed to female use. In modern English, the word is common in everyday conversation, but it remains gendered and age-sensitive, so choose the sense and tone carefully. Typical contexts include describing a child, referring to a teenage girl, or using set phrases like girl scout or girl power. Avoid using girl to refer to adult women in formal writing.
Usage Reminders
- Use girl for a female child or a young woman, not for men.
- Be mindful of tone: endearment is informal.
- Choose the right formality in formal writing.
- Know common collocations like girl scout and girl power.
- In modern contexts, avoid using girl to refer to adult women in official settings.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking girl only means a child; it can also mean a young woman.
- Assuming all adult women are 'girls' in formal settings.
- Confusing girl with woman or lady in tone.
- Using girl in professional writing when addressing adults.
- Overgeneralizing to phrases that are not universally used in every English-speaking region.
Thinking Differences
English learners must distinguish girl from woman and tailor tone to age and setting. Mistakes often involve addressing adults as girls or using overly casual language in formal contexts.
Learning Tips
- Register: practice with both neutral and affectionate tones.
- Pair with age-appropriate nouns like child, teen, woman.
- Study common collocations such as girl scout, girl power.
- Listen for pronunciation differences in various dialects.
- Compare with synonyms like lass, young woman in different registers.
- Use visual cues to reinforce the concept of age.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'girl' correctly?
A.The boy went fishing with his pet girl.
B.The table is blue with the girl flowers on it.
C.She is a smart girl who loves to read books.
D.I bought a new girl to play with.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'girl'?
A.Female
B.Old woman
C.Young man
D.Animal
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'girl'?
A.Adult
B.Dog
C.Boy
D.Tree
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario of a young female?
A.The teacher taught a class of students.
B.The carpenter built a new table for the kitchen.
C.The doctor treated patients at the hospital.
D.The scientist conducted an experiment in the lab.
Related Listening
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