Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
old-maid
noun
/ˈoʊld meɪd/
Definition
A term used to describe an unmarried woman, often used in a derogatory context.
Examples
- She was often called an old-maid because she devoted her life to her career.
- The character in the novel is portrayed as an old-maid who lives with her cats.
Meaning
The term ‘old-maid’ typically refers to a woman who has remained unmarried beyond the usual age for marriage, sometimes implying that she is undesirable or has missed her chance at matrimony.
Synonyms
- spinster
- unmarried woman
- single woman
