Definition

A young woman or girl, often one who is unmarried and of noble birth.

Example

The knight rescued the damsel from the tower.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new movie with the damsel in distress?

Yeah, I heard it's a classic fairy tale twist.

I can't believe how many stories still use the damsel trope.

Right? It feels like we need more strong female leads instead.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Damsel → The word originates from Old French *dameisele*, which is a diminutive form of *dame* (meaning lady). It refers to a young lady or a girl, often of noble birth.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'lady' ('dame') who is young and perhaps of noble status — that's why 'damsel' refers to a young lady.

Visually Confused Words