bridesmaid

Everyday

1. A bridesmaid is a girl or woman who helps the bride on her wedding day and walks with her at the ceremony. tree →
2. (idiom) «Always the bridesmaid, never the bride» means always nearly winning but never quite winning. tree →

In the lessons

A word of weddings and family life: a girl may be a bridesmaid at her aunt's or cousin's wedding, wearing a special dress and carrying flowers. The main one is the chief bridesmaid or maid of honour; a little one is a flower girl. Phrases: «chief bridesmaid», «maid of honour», «bridesmaid dress».

Examples

• I was a bridesmaid at my aunt's wedding. tree →
• The bridesmaids wore pale blue dresses. tree →
• My sister is the chief bridesmaid. tree →
• The little bridesmaid scattered petals up the aisle. tree →
• Bridesmaids help the bride get ready on the big day. tree →
• Our team was always the bridesmaid, never the bride, until this year's final. tree →

Note

Countable: bridesmaids. One word: bride + s + maid. The male helper of the groom is the «best man»; boys may be «pageboys» (UK) or «ring bearers». «Maid of honour» is the head bridesmaid.