ladynoun
uk/ˈleɪ.di/us/ˈleɪ.di/B1 [ C ] a polite or old-fashioned way of referring to or talking to a woman:
There's a young lady here to see you.
Mind your language - there are ladies present!
Say "thank you" to the lady, children.
old-fashioned Is the lady of the house (= the most important or only woman who lives in the house) at home?
[ C ] old-fashioned a woman who behaves in a way that is traditionally considered to be suitable for a woman:
Of course I remember Mrs Connor - she was a real lady.
[ C ] old-fashioned sometimes used before the name of a job done by a woman:
a lady doctor
[ as form of address ] US used to talk to a woman in a way that is not polite and is considered offensive by many women:
Hey, lady, what's the rush?
ladies [ S, + sing/pl verb ] UK US ladies' room
a women's toilet in a public place or building such as a hotel or restaurant:
I'm just going to the ladies.
Is there a ladies on this floor?
ladies and gentlemen
used to talk to the members of the audience when you are making a speech:
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our show.
More examples
- In those days it was considered not quite proper for young ladies to be seen talking to men in public.
- I was standing waiting for a bus, wedged between two elderly ladies and their bags of shopping.
- The old lady rented us her spare bedroom for £55 a week.
- Step aside, please - this lady needs a doctor.
- Don't speak to me in that tone of voice , young lady!
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Kinds of women
- a damsel in distress idiom
- adult
- amazon
- auntie
- bachelorette
- cougar
- councilwoman
- dame
- damsel
- dolly bird
- homemaker
- housewife
- ingénue
- Jezebel
- ladette
- sheila
- slattern
- temptress
- tigress
- wallflower
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Parts of buildings: the toilet
Welcoming, greeting & greetings