maid

[meyd]

noun

1. a female domestic employee who cleans tourist accommodations or does cleaning or other housework in a home.

   a hotel maid.

2. a female domestic servant with any of various duties, especially in a large house (often used in combination).

   a kitchen maid who assisted the cook; a handmaid; a lady’s maid; a nursery maid.

3. Archaic.,  a girl or young unmarried woman.

4. Archaic.,  a female virgin.

maid

/ meɪd /

noun

1. archaic,  a young unmarried girl; maiden

2. 1. a female servant

   2. ( in combination )

      a housemaid

3. a spinster

Other Word Forms

• maidish adjective
• maidishness noun
• submaid noun
• undermaid noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maid¹

First recorded in 1225–1275; Middle English maide, maid, shortened variant of maiden

Word History and Origins

Origin of maid¹

C12: shortened form of _maiden

Example Sentences

Daisy began her journey at Downton Abbey as a belabored kitchen maid, but eventually the estate’s revered cook Mrs. Patmore took her under her wing.

From Los Angeles Times

The crown jewel of LuxJB’s collection is a 39,000-square-foot behemoth complete with nine bedrooms, four kitchens, a gym, spa, movie theater, pickleball court, basketball court and a team of three maids.

From Los Angeles Times

With limited opportunities for black people, Nyembe was mostly cast in the role of a maid whenever she auditioned.

From BBC

“I’ll be a French maid when I meet you at the door / I’m like an alley cat — drink the milk up, I want more.”

From Los Angeles Times

His fiancée, whom he accidentally kills with the devil’s bullet, seems more interested in her maid than the clerk.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• au pair 
• chambermaid 
• girl 
• housemaid