girlhood: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, academic
Quick answer
What does “girlhood” mean?
The state or period of being a girl.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or period of being a girl.
The collective experience, characteristics, or culture associated with being a girl; a formative period of female life before adulthood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/formal in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US English, primarily found in written texts.
Grammar
How to Use “girlhood” in a Sentence
[Possessive] + girlhood (e.g., her girlhood)girlhood + [of + NOUN PHRASE] (e.g., the girlhood of the princess)Adjective + girlhood (e.g., a sheltered girlhood)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Used in sociology, gender studies, history, and literary analysis to discuss female development and socialisation.
Everyday
Used in reflective or nostalgic conversation, or when recounting personal history.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts outside the humanities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “girlhood”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “girlhood”
- Using it to refer to a specific girl (e.g., 'She is a girlhood' – INCORRECT).
- Confusing it with 'girlfriend'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word, more common in written than spoken English, and has a formal/literary register.
No, it is specifically the state or period of being a girl. The equivalent for boys is 'boyhood'.
'Girlhood' specifically denotes the state of being a girl and can cover the entire period from infancy to late teens. 'Adolescence' is more specific to the teenage years of physical and psychological development and is not gender-specific.
No, 'girlhood' is only a noun. There is no related verb.
The state or period of being a girl.
Girlhood is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Girlhood: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɜːlhʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɝːlhʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A girlhood dream come true.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Girl' + 'hood' (like 'neighbourhood') – the 'state' or 'time' of being a girl.
Conceptual Metaphor
GIRLHOOD IS A JOURNEY / GIRLHOOD IS A CONTAINER (of memories, experiences).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is closest in meaning to 'girlhood'?