noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ˈpaɹəˌnɪmf/
US:/ˈpæɹəˌnɪmf/
1
noun
Meaning 1
A friend of the bridegroom; a best man; a bridesmaid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An ally or spokesman; someone who speaks in support of someone else.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle French paranymphe, from Latin paranymphus, from Ancient Greek παράνυμφος (paránumphos, “friend of bridegroom”), from παρα- (para-, “para-”) + νύμφη (númphē, “bride”).
Across languages
Translations
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
paranimf
— best man or bridesmaid
Chinese Mandarin:
儐相 /傧相
— best man or bridesmaid
French:
paranymphe
— best man or bridesmaid
Greek:
παράνυμφος
(paránymfos)
— best man or bridesmaid
Ancient Greek:
πᾰρᾰ́νῠμφος
(părắnŭmphos)
— best man or bridesmaid