gal
UK: ɡæl | US: ɡæl
n. (informal) 1. A girl or young woman.
n. (colloquial) 2. A term of address for a woman, often friendly or familiar.
"Gal" is a colloquial shortening of the word "girl," first recorded in English in the late 18th century. It likely arose from regional dialects or informal speech patterns where the final "r" sound in "girl" was dropped or softened. The term carries a casual, often affectionate tone and is commonly used in American and British English. Its evolution reflects a broader trend of abbreviating familiar terms in spoken language.
She's a smart gal with a bright future.
Hey gal, how's it going?
The gals at the office organized a surprise party.
My best gal always knows how to cheer me up.
Back in the day, my grandma was quite the stylish gal.