What does princess mean?
Princess is a noun identifying a female member of a royal family, most commonly the daughter of a king or queen. In historical contexts, it may also mean the wife of a prince, while the related title “crown princess” designates the heir to a throne. The word has strong associations with royalty, ceremony, privilege, and fairy tales, although contemporary speakers may use it affectionately or ironically to describe someone who receives exceptional attention or luxurious treatment. A princess is not simply a young woman who is beautiful or gentle; the term primarily expresses a specific royal relationship, even though cultural traditions have often given it those additional connotations. Its standard plural is princesses, and the word is used in both British and American English.
nounA daughter of a king or queen, or more generally a female member of a royal family. Historically, the title can also refer to the wife of a prince.
- A daughter of a king or queen, especially one holding the title of princess.
- A wife of a prince, especially in historical and traditional usage.
- A female member of a royal family who holds or has held a royal title.
"The princess welcomed the visitors to the palace."
"The princess was celebrated for her charity and her support of the arts."
"In the fairy tale, the princess waits behind an impenetrable thorn hedge until the prince proves his loyalty."
The regular plural form is princesses.
"The princesses attended the ceremony together."
The word behind every fairy-tale princess ultimately comes from Latin princeps, literally “first citizen,” a title for a chief or leading person.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does princess come from?
The word entered English through Old French princess during the medieval period, developing as the feminine counterpart of prince. Its deeper source is Latin princeps, literally “first citizen,” a term that came to mean a chief, leader, or sovereign. Related English forms such as prince, principal, and principle developed from the same Latin foundation, though their meanings and grammatical roles diverged over time.
How princess is actually used
In modern usage, princess most often denotes a female member of a royal family. It can also be used affectionately or ironically, especially when describing someone who is treated as pampered or given special privileges.
Easily confused with princess
A prince is a male royal or the son of a king or queen, whereas a princess is a female royal or the daughter of a king or queen.