noun
a female child or young teenager
The girl smiled at her mother.
A girl is waiting outside.
Common phrases & grammar
little girl · baby girl · schoolgirl · teenage girl
a/the girl + verb
the girl + verb + object
American English
How to pronounce girl
nounA1Very common word
GERL
/gɚl/
One syllable.
a female child or young teenager
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
nouninformal
a young woman; in informal speech, a female friend or a group of female friends
That girl works with me.
The girls are meeting for coffee.
Good to know
For an adult woman, girl can sound too casual or disrespectful in some situations. Use woman when you want to sound neutral.
Common phrases & grammar
the girls · girl power · girl next door
a girl + verb
the girls + verb
nouninformal
a daughter, especially when someone speaks about her with affection
My girl starts school this year.
Their little girl loves animals.
Good to know
My girl can also mean my girlfriend. The meaning depends on context.
Common phrases & grammar
my little girl · baby girl · my girl
my/your + girl
the girl's + noun
Useful expressions
a friendly, ordinary young woman
He married the girl next door.
confidence and strength shown by girls or women
The campaign celebrates girl power.
an evening when female friends go out together
We're planning a girls' night out.