lady

noun countable

UK /ˈleɪdi/

Word Forms

singular	lady
plural	ladies

1
used for talking about a woman. Some people think this use is polite but other people think it is old-fashioned and prefer to use ‘woman’
Go and ask that lady over there.
There was a young lady standing outside the house.
Synonyms and related words
Women and girls
woman
female
womankind
1. 1a
  a woman who behaves politely and in a way that was traditionally considered suitable for a woman
  I remember her as a refined elegant lady.
  She doesn’t talk like a lady.
  Synonyms and related words
  Women and girls
  woman
  female
  womankind
2. 1b
  a woman who you admire for her character or achievements
  She’s one determined lady.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that are admired and respected
  legend
  hero
  role model
3. 1c
  Americaninformalused for talking to a woman whose name you do not know. Using this word to address someone is considered rude, and the polite word is ma’am.
  Synonyms and related words
  Names used for talking to women or girls
  love
  miss
  babe
4. 1d
  only before nounold-fashionedused for referring to what a woman’s profession is, for example a ‘lady doctor’ or ‘lady barrister’. Many people prefer to say ‘woman doctor’ or ‘woman barrister’ or simply ‘doctor’ or ‘barrister’.
  Synonyms and related words
  Women and girls
  woman
  female
  womankind
5. 1e
  a woman from an upper social class in the UK, especially in the past
  Synonyms and related words
  People from an upper social class
  the upper class
  aristocracy
  the nobility
6. 1f
  old-fashioneda man’s wife or girlfriend
  Synonyms and related words
  Someone’s husband, wife or partner
  helpmate
  hubby
  husband
  Synonyms and related words
  A woman someone is having a relationship with
  girlfriend
  mistress
  woman

phrases

ladies and gentlemen

Lady

UK /ˈleɪdi/

1
used as a title of a woman who is a peeress, the wife or daughter of a peer, or the wife of a knight
Lady Diana Spencer
Synonyms and related words
Members of royal families and the nobility
archduke
aristocracy
aristocrat
2
used as part of some official titles in the UK
Thank you, Lady Mayoress.
Synonyms and related words
Titles
baas
babu
dame

lady

noun countable

US /ˈleɪdi/

Word Forms

singular	lady
plural	ladies

1
used for talking about a woman. Some people think this use is polite but other people think it is old-fashioned and prefer to use “woman”
Go and ask that lady over there.
There was a young lady standing outside the house.
Synonyms and related words
Women and girls
woman
girl
female
1. 1a
  a woman who behaves politely and in a way that was traditionally considered appropriate for a woman
  I remember her as a refined elegant lady.
  She doesn’t talk like a lady.
  Synonyms and related words
  Women and girls
  woman
  girl
  female
2. 1b
  a woman who you admire for her character or achievements
  She’s one determined lady.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that are admired and respected
  legend
  hero
  role model
3. 1c
  Americaninformalused for talking to a woman whose name you do not know. Using this word to address someone is considered rude, and the polite word is ma’am
  Hey, lady, do you mind getting out of my way?
  Synonyms and related words
  Names used for talking to women or girls
  miss
  babe
  baby
4. 1d
  only before nounold-fashionedused for referring to what a woman’s profession is, for example a “lady doctor” or “lady lawyer. Many people prefer to say “woman doctor” or “woman lawyer” or simply “doctor” or “lawyer”.
  Synonyms and related words
  Women and girls
  woman
  girl
  female
5. 1e
  old-fashioneda man’s wife or girlfriend
  Synonyms and related words
  Someone’s husband, wife or partner
  helpmate
  hubby
  husband
  Synonyms and related words
  A woman someone is having a relationship with
  girlfriend
  mistress
  woman
6. 1f
  a woman from an upper social class in the U.K., especially in the past
  Synonyms and related words
  People from an upper social class
  the upper class
  aristocracy
  the nobility

phrases

ladies and gentlemen

Lady

US /ˈleɪdi/

1
used as a title of a woman who is a peeress, the wife or daughter of a peer, or the wife of a knight
Lady Diana Spencer
Synonyms and related words
Members of royal families and the nobility
archduke
aristocracy
aristocrat
2
used as part of some official titles in the U.K.
Thank you, Lady Mayoress.
Synonyms and related words
Titles
dame
Esq.
Her/Your Ladyship

lady ​‌‌‌

Lady

lady ​‌‌‌

Lady

lady

lady