You can use lady when you are referring to a woman, especially when you are showing politeness or respect.
She's a very sweet old lady.
Shall we rejoin the ladies?
...a lady doctor.
...a cream-coloured lady's shoe.
Synonyms: woman, female, girl, miss [old-fashioned, or derogatory] More Synonyms of lady
2. See also old lady
3. countable noun
You can say 'ladies' when you are addressing a group of women in a formal and respectful way.
[politeness]
Your table is ready, ladies, if you'd care to come through.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
4. countable noun
A lady is a woman from the upper classes, especially in former times.
...the Empress and ladies of the Imperial Palace.
Our governess was told to make sure we knew how to talk like English ladies.
Synonyms: gentlewoman, duchess, noble, dame More Synonyms of lady
5. title noun
In Britain, Lady is a title used in front of the names of some female members of the nobility, or the wives of knights.
Cockburn's arrival coincided with that of Sir Iain and Lady Noble.
My dear Lady Mary, how very good to see you.
6. countable noun
If you say that a woman is a lady, you mean that she behaves in a polite, dignified, and graceful way.
His wife was great as well, beautiful-looking and a real lady.
A lady always sits quietly with her hands in her lap.
7. singular noun
People sometimes refer to a public toilet for women as the ladies.
[British, informal]
At Temple station, Charlotte rushed into the Ladies.
8. countable noun
'Lady' is sometimes used by men as a form of address when they are talking to a woman that they do not know, especially in shops and in the street.
[US, informal, politeness]
What seems to be the trouble, lady?
As she left the litter-strewn lot, an angry voice called out to her. 'Hey, lady!'
9. See also first lady, Our Lady
lady in British English
(ˈleɪdɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-dies
1.
a woman regarded as having the characteristics of a good family and high social position
2.
a.
a polite name for a woman
b.
(as modifier)
a lady doctor
3. an informal name for wife
4. lady of the house
5. history
a woman with proprietary rights and authority, as over a manor
Compare lord (sense 3)
Word origin
Old English hlǣfdīge, from hlāf bread + dīge kneader, related to dāh dough
Lady in British English
(ˈleɪdɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-dies
1.
(in Britain) a title of honour borne by various classes of women of the peerage
2. my lady
3. Our Lady
4. archaic
an allegorical prefix for the personifications of certain qualities
Lady Luck
5. mainly British
the term of address by which certain positions of respect are prefaced when held by women
Lady Chairman
lady in American English
(ˈleɪdi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈladies
1.
the mistress of a household
now obsolete except in the phrase the lady of the house
2.
a woman who has the rights, rule, or authority of a lord
3.
a woman of high social position
4.
a woman who is polite, refined, and well-mannered
5.
any woman
a polite term, esp. as (in pl.) a form of address
6. OLD-FASHIONED
a woman with reference to the man who is her devoted attendant, lover, etc.
7. [L-]
in Great Britain, the title of respect given to a marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness; to the daughter of a duke, marquis, or earl; or to the wife of a baronet, knight, or holder of the courtesy title Lord
8.
this title as a form of address for a woman holding the title Lady, now used only by servants, salespeople, etc.
preceded by My
9. [L-]; Epithet
the Virgin Mary
, usually with Our
10. Informal
a mistress (sense 4) or , girlfriend (sense 1), esp. one who is cohabiting
adjective
11. Informal
female
a lady barber
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈwoman
Word origin
ME lavedi < OE hlæfdige, lady, mistress < hlaf, loaf1 + -dige < dæge, (bread) kneader < IE base *dheih-: see dough
More idioms containing
lady
it isn't over until the fat lady sings
COBUILD Collocations
lady
lucky lady
Examples of 'lady' in a sentence
lady
They also look at other leading ladies electing to wear leather.
The Sun (2016)
He was sitting next to a pretty young lady.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
My posture and gait become those of an elderly lady.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This has given it the popular name of naked ladies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That old lady thought the space was hers, but you took it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She says :'The lady said it so loudly that people around me turned to stare.
The Sun (2016)
So, would he call himself a ladies' man?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The voice at the end of the line was that of an elderly lady.
Jan Fennell FRIENDS FOR LIFE (2003)
The two ladies came to see me at my flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So who would be your dream leading lady?
The Sun (2014)
What a treat the young lady had in store.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No maid would speak that way to a lady.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
You can become today the leading man or lady of your own life.
Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)
This lady is a woman after my own heart.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She married a banker and ended her days as a lady of the manor.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Then the lady in the front seat beamed at me.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But then come more baseless blows to the former first lady.
Christianity Today (2000)
This sounds like the lady protesting too much that she has all the names she needs.
Paula Byrne PERDITA: The Life of Mary Robinson (2004)
Your choice of ladies has always been impeccable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
If this is the worst name this young lady is called in life she is going to be very lucky.
The Sun (2009)
And the ladies come with it.
The Sun (2012)
Our former GP has moved and now we have a lady doctor.
The Sun (2015)
I used to perform at ladies' afternoon clubs and blind homes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She said he told her: 'I feel so sorry for the family of that lady.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
lady
British English: lady /ˈleɪdɪ/ NOUN
You can use lady when you are referring to a woman, especially when you are showing politeness or respect.
She's a very sweet old lady.
American English: lady
Arabic: سَيِّدَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: senhora
Chinese: 女士
Croatian: dama
Czech: paní
Danish: dame
Dutch: dame
European Spanish: dama
Finnish: aatelisnainen
French: dame
German: Dame
Greek: κυρία
Italian: signora
Japanese: 婦人
Korean: 숙녀
Norwegian: dame
Polish: dama
European Portuguese: senhora
Romanian: doamnă
Russian: леди
Latin American Spanish: dama
Swedish: dam kvinna
Thai: สุภาพสตรี
Turkish: leydi
Ukrainian: леді
Vietnamese: quý bà
All related terms of 'lady'
my lady
a term of address to holders of the title Lady , used esp by servants
bag lady
A bag lady is a homeless woman who carries her possessions in shopping bags.
Iron Lady
→ the Iron Lady
Lady Day
March 25, the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary ; one of the four quarter days in England, Wales and Ireland
lady fern
a large, graceful , but variable fern , Athyrium filix-femina, with bipinnate fronds , commonly found on damp acid soils in woods and on hillsides
Lady Luck
the personification of fortune or chance
Lady Muck
an ordinary woman behaving or being treated as if she were aristocratic
lady palm
a type of small palm (genus Rhapis), popularly grown as an indoor plant
old lady
Some men refer to their wife , girlfriend , or mother as their old lady .
Our Lady
Some Christians , especially Catholics , refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ , as Our Lady .
pink lady
a cocktail consisting of gin , grenadine , cream and egg-white
tea lady
a woman employed in a factory , office , etc to make tea during a tea break
dinner lady
a female cook or canteen worker in a school
dragon lady
a woman of somewhat sinister glamour often perceived as wielding ruthless or corrupt power
first lady
The First Lady in a country or state is the wife of the president or state governor, or a woman who performs the official duties normally performed by the wife.
Lady Chapel
a chapel within a church or cathedral , dedicated to the Virgin Mary
lady doctor
a doctor who is a female
lady friend
Someone's lady friend is the woman with whom they are having a romantic or sexual relationship .
lady-killer
If you refer to a man as a lady-killer , you mean that you think he is very successful at attracting women but quickly leaves them.
lady orchid
a tall graceful orchid , Orchis purpurea, with faintly scented purple-brown and green flowers with a pinkish or white lip
lucky lady
You can use lady when you are referring to a woman, especially when you are showing politeness or respect .
maiden lady
an unmarried woman
naked lady
a leafless pink orchid found in Australia and New Zealand
white lady
a cocktail consisting of gin , Cointreau , and lemon juice
young lady
a girlfriend ; sweetheart
bearded lady
a woman with a beard , esp in a circus or freakshow
cleaning lady
A cleaning lady is the same as a → cleaner [sense 1 ] .
lady mayoress
the wife of a lord mayor
lady-slipper
→ cypripedium
lady's man
a man very fond of the company of women and very attentive to them
lady teacher
a teacher who is a woman
painted lady
a migratory nymphalid butterfly , Vanessa cardui , with pale brownish-red mottled wings
lady bountiful
an ostentatiously charitable woman
lady's maid
a personal servant to a woman, esp in matters of dress
lady's room
→ ladies' room
lady's-smock
a N temperate plant, Cardamine pratensis, with white or rose-pink flowers: family Brassicaceae ( crucifers )
lady's-thumb
an annual plant ( Polygonum persicaria ) of the buckwheat family, with dense spikes of pinkish or purplish flowers
find the lady
a game in which players bet on which of three inverted playing cards is the queen
lady's finger
→ same as ladies' fingers
lady's mantle
any of various rosaceous plants of the N temperate genus Alchemilla, having small green flowers
lady's-slipper
any of various orchids of the Eurasian genus Cypripedium , esp C. calceolus, having reddish or purple flowers
lady's-tresses
any of various orchids of the genera Spiranthes or Goodyera , having spikes of small white fragrant flowers
the Iron Lady
a nickname often used to describe female heads of government around the world, meaning ' strong-willed woman'. Most famously used of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979 to 1990) Margaret Thatcher
lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a woman whose job is to help a queen or princess.
Lady of the Lake
(in Arthurian legend ) a mysterious supernatural being sometimes identified with Vivian
lady's bedstraw
a Eurasian rubiaceous plant, Galium verum, with clusters of small yellow flowers
shopping bag lady
a woman who is homeless and wanders city streets with all her possessions in shopping bags
widow woman
a woman who has survived her spouse , esp one who has not remarried
Lady Macbeth strategy
a strategy in a takeover battle in which a third party makes a bid acceptable to the target company, appearing to act as a white knight but subsequently joining forces with the original ( unwelcome ) bidder
lady of the house
the female head of the household
Chinese translation of 'lady'
lady
(ˈleɪdɪ)
n(c)
(= woman) 女士 (nǚshì) (位, wèi)
(= educated woman) 淑女 (shūnǚ)
(Brit, = title) 夫人 (fūrén)
Our Lady (Rel) 圣(聖)母 (shèngmǔ)
ladies and gentlemen ... 女士们(們)，先生们(們) ... (nǚshìmen, xiānshēngmen ... )
young lady小姐 (xiǎojiě)
the ladies' (Brit) or the ladies' room (US)女厕(廁)所 (nǚcèsuǒ)
All related terms of 'lady'
Our Lady
( Rel ) 圣(聖)母 shèngmǔ
dinner lady
食堂阿姨 shítáng āyí [ 位 wèi ]
first lady
第一夫人 dìyī fūrén
young lady
小姐 xiǎojiě
lollipop lady
为保证儿童安全过马路手持暂停指挥牌的女交通管理员
a young lady
一位少女 yī wèi shàonǚ
the first lady of jazz
爵士乐(樂)之后(後) juéshìyuè zhī hòu
1 (noun)
Definition
a woman regarded as having the characteristics of a good family, such as dignified manners
the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness
Synonyms
gentlewoman
duchess
noble
dame
a Dame of the British Empire
baroness
countess
aristocrat
The car had once belonged to a Prussian aristocrat.
viscountess
noblewoman
peeress
2 (noun)
Definition
a polite name for a woman
She's a very sweet old lady.
Synonyms
woman
I asked the woman at the desk for an application form.
female
A slightly higher proportion of young females go to university than young males.
girl
miss (old-fashioned, or derogatory)
a little miss of seven years of age
maiden (archaic)
stories of adventures with knights, wizards and maidens
maid (archaic)
But can he win back the heart of this fair maid?
lass
She's a Lancashire lass from Longton, near Preston.
damsel (archaic, poetic)
The fairytale was about a damsel in distress.
lassie (informal)
charlie (Australian, old-fashioned, slang)
chook (Australian, slang, sometimes derogatory)
wahine (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aristocrat
The car had once belonged to a Prussian aristocrat.
Synonyms
noble,
lord,
lady,
peer,
patrician,
grandee,
nobleman,
noblewoman,
aristo (informal),
childe (archaic),
peeress
in the sense of dame
Definition
(in Britain) the title of a woman who has been awarded the Order of the British Empire or another order of chivalry
a Dame of the British Empire
Synonyms
lady,
baroness,
dowager,
grande dame,
noblewoman,
peeress
in the sense of damsel
Definition
a young woman
The fairytale was about a damsel in distress.
Synonyms
maiden (archaic, literary),
girl,
virgin,
maid (archaic, literary),
miss (old-fashioned, derogatory),
nymph (poetic),
lass,
lassie (informal),
wench
Synonyms of 'lady'
lady
Explore 'lady' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of female
Definition
a female person, animal, or plant
A slightly higher proportion of young females go to university than young males.
Synonyms
woman,
girl,
lady,
lass,
sheila (Australian, New Zealand, slang),
charlie (Australian, old-fashioned, slang),
chook (Australian, slang, offensive),
wahine (New Zealand)
in the sense of lass
Definition
a girl or young woman
She's a Lancashire lass from Longton, near Preston.
Synonyms
girl,
young woman,
miss (old-fashioned, derogatory),
maiden,
maid (archaic),
damsel (archaic, poetic),
colleen (Irish),
lassie (informal),
wench (facetious),
charlie (Australian, old-fashioned, slang)
in the sense of maid
Definition
a young unmarried girl
But can he win back the heart of this fair maid?
Synonyms
girl,
maiden (archaic, literary),
lass,
miss (old-fashioned, derogatory),
nymph (poetic),
damsel,
lassie (informal)
in the sense of maiden
Definition
a young unmarried girl, esp. a virgin
stories of adventures with knights, wizards and maidens