adj
maiden
MAY-duhn
adj
1
Describing the first occurrence of something, such as a journey, speech, or attempt.
"The ship set out on its maiden voyage to great fanfare."
"The MP gave her maiden speech in Parliament last week."
2
Never married; unmarried (used of a woman, now somewhat old-fashioned).
"She lived out her days as a maiden aunt, doting on her nieces and nephews."
noun
1
(literary or old-fashioned) A young unmarried woman.
"The old ballad tells of a fair maiden waiting for her love to return."
How to Use Maiden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used today for a "first" of something (maiden voyage, maiden speech); as a noun for a young woman it now sounds old-fashioned or poetic.
Common mistake
Outside set phrases like "maiden voyage" or "maiden name", calling a woman "a maiden" sounds archaic in everyday modern English.
Common pairings
maiden voyage
maiden speech
maiden name
Word Forms
Maidens plural
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The ship set out on its _____ voyage to great fanfare.
Etymology
From Old English maegden, "girl", ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "girl" or "virgin".