girl scout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “girl scout” mean?
A member of the Girl Scouts, an international youth organization for girls that promotes character development, outdoor skills, and community service.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the Girl Scouts, an international youth organization for girls that promotes character development, outdoor skills, and community service.
1. A person, especially a girl or woman, who exhibits the positive, helpful, and earnest qualities stereotypically associated with a Girl Scout (e.g., honesty, preparedness, good citizenship). 2. (Informal) Used to describe someone who is unusually virtuous, naive, or rule-abiding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the equivalent organization is 'Girlguiding UK', with members called 'Brownies', 'Guides', or 'Rangers'. 'Girl Scout' is understood but is primarily a US term. The metaphorical use is more common in American English.
Connotations
In the US, the term carries strong cultural connotations of cookie sales, merit badges, camping, and traditional American values. In the UK, the equivalent connotations are attached to 'Guide' or 'Brownie'.
Frequency
High frequency in American English, low frequency in British English except in discussions of US culture.
Grammar
How to Use “girl scout” in a Sentence
[be/become] a Girl Scout[join/lead] the Girl Scouts[sell] Girl Scout cookiesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “girl scout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A as verb
American English
- N/A as verb. Note: 'To scout' is a separate verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A as adverb
American English
- N/A as adverb
adjective
British English
- She has a very Girl-Guide-like earnestness about her.
American English
- He gave a girl-scout promise to tell the whole truth. (hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in marketing contexts related to fundraising (e.g., 'We have a Girl Scout cookie sales table in the lobby').
Academic
Rare, appears in sociological or historical studies of youth organizations and gender.
Everyday
Common, especially in the US, to refer to the organization or metaphorically to describe character.
Technical
Specific to discussions of youth programs, non-profit structures, or pedagogy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “girl scout”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “girl scout”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “girl scout”
- Using lowercase 'girl scout' when referring to the official organization. Confusing it with 'Boy Scout'. Using the term in a UK context without explanation.
- Pronouncing 'scout' to rhyme with 'out' as /aʊt/ is correct; some learners mistakenly use a short vowel /ʌ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the main UK organisation is called Girlguiding, and its members are Guides or Brownies. 'Girl Scout' is understood but is an American term.
Yes, informally. Calling someone a 'girl scout' can imply they are overly naive, virtuous, or rule-bound in a situation that requires more cunning or realism.
They are cookies sold annually by Girl Scouts in the US as their primary fundraiser. It's a famous cultural phenomenon, with varieties like Thin Mints and Samoas.
Literally, yes—it refers to girls. Metaphorically, it can be applied to anyone ('He's a real girl scout'), though this is less common.
A member of the Girl Scouts, an international youth organization for girls that promotes character development, outdoor skills, and community service.
Girl scout is usually neutral in register.
Girl scout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɜːl skaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɝːl skaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) honest as a Girl Scout”
- “Girl Scout smile (a very earnest, wholesome smile)”
- “"Stop being such a Girl Scout" (stop being so rule-bound/naive).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GIRL in a uniform, SCOUTing for ways to help and earn badges.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY/CHARACTER IS A UNIFORM (someone can 'wear' Girl Scout-like virtues); PREPAREDNESS IS A BADGE (to have a skill certified).
Practice
Quiz
In which country would you most commonly hear the term 'Girl Scout' used in everyday conversation to refer to a youth organisation member?