Definition
a female domestic servant; an unmarried young woman (archaic)
Etymology
Middle English maide, shortened from maiden
Kelly Says
Originally 'maid' was just short for 'maiden' and referred to any unmarried young woman, regardless of her job. The domestic service meaning came later, which is why we still say 'maid of honor' at weddings - she's the unmarried attendant, not the cleaning lady!
Translations
BNবাংলা
কাজের মেয়ে
kajer meye
CACatalà
minyona
mee-nyoh-nah
CSČeština
služka
sloozhkah
DADansk
tjenerinde
chyenerindeh
ESEspañol
doncella
donsehya
FAفارسی
خدمتکار
khedmatkār
FISuomi
palvelijatar
pahlvehlyitar
FRFrançais
femme de chambre
fam de shombr
HAHA
bawan gida
bah-wahn gee-dah
HIहिन्दी
नौकरानी
naukrānī
IDBahasa Indonesia
pembantu
pembantu
ITItaliano
cameriera
kahmehreeah
MSBahasa Melayu
pembantu
pembantu
MYမြန်မာ
အလုပ်သူ
ah-luht-thu
NLNederlands
dienstmeid
deynstmayd
NONorsk
tjenerinne
chyenerinne
PLPolski
służąca
swouzhahntsa
PTPortuguês
empregada
emprehgahdah
RORomână
slujnică
sloozhnikah
RUРусский
горничная
gornichnaya
SVSvenska
jungfru
yungfroo
SWKiswahili
mfanyakazi
m-fah-nyah-kah-zee
TAதமிழ்
வேலைப்பார்க்கும் பெண்
vayalpaarkum pen
TEతెలుగు
సేవకురాలు
sevakuuralu
THไทย
คนรับใช้
khn rāb chāi
TLTL
katulong
kah-toh-lohng
TRTürkçe
hizmetçi
hizmetchi
UKУкраїнська
служниця
sloozhnytsya
VITiếng Việt
cô hầu
koh hou
ZUZU
umsebenzi
oom-seh-ben-zee
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Maid is historically gendered female; the role locked women into domestic service tied to class and gender. Male counterpart 'manservant' exists but carries different historical weight.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'housekeeper', 'domestic worker', or 'household assistant' to neutralize role and acknowledge labor dignity.
Inclusive Alternatives
["housekeeper","domestic worker","household assistant","cleaner"]
Empowerment Note
Women's domestic labor was historically unpaid or severely underpaid; naming the role formally (worker/assistant) honors its value.