lady

noun, often attributive la·dy \ ˈlā-dē \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: lady in a Sentence

Definition of lady

plural ladies

1 a : a woman having proprietary rights or authority especially as a feudal superior

b : a woman receiving the homage or devotion of a knight or lover

2 capitalized : virgin mary —usually used with Our

3 a : a woman of superior social position

b : a woman of refinement and gentle manners

c : woman, female —often used in a courteous reference

show the lady to a seat

or usually in the plural in address

ladies and gentlemen

4 a : wife

b : girlfriend, mistress

5 a : any of various titled women in Great Britain —used as the customary title of (1) a marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness or (2) the wife of a knight, baronet, member of the peerage, or one having the courtesy title of lord and used as a courtesy title for the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl

b : a woman who is a member of an order of knighthood — compare dame

See lady defined for English-language learners

See lady defined for kids

Examples of lady in a Sentence

Her mother was always telling her to act like a lady.
He bumped into some lady walking to the bus stop.
He helped a little old lady cross the street.

Recent Examples of lady from the Web

Volunteers included members of the Woman’s Club of Vista and Girl Scout Troop 4371 with Pride of Vista Pageant ladies Jess Heatherly and Allyce Calloway and Blue Star volunteers Laura and Briana Torres.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Blue Star families honored," 13 July 2018
The exhibits’ themes range from a 1924 poster representing the city’s first Sylvan Beach Beauty Pageant to a set of lady’s calling cards complete with case.

— carissa d. lamkahouan, Houston Chronicle, "A quiet place to meet old La Porte," 10 July 2018
Meanwhile the design, although reminiscent of a lady’s flowing dress (and reportedly made to reflect Queen Victoria’s own wedding gown), was considered unisex and graced both male and female babies.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Fascinating History of Prince Louis's Christening Dress," 9 July 2018
Some of the young ladies out there might do something that puts a smile on my face and makes me chuckle.

— kyle stackpole, Howard County Times, "Howard County announces 2018 Community Sports Hall of Fame induction class," 7 July 2018
All three of these ladies are definitely younger looking in the airport photo.

— paula allen, San Antonio Express-News, "Experts weigh in on reader's midcentury San Antonio airport photo," 7 July 2018
The tight-jeaned crooner stole the hearts of all the young ladies with every expletive imaginable.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 2: Marshmello, Nelly, Tory Lanez, Buckcherry and more," 28 June 2018
The two ladies were all smiles after their girls' trip on the royal train the night before.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Answers to Everything You've Been Googling About Meghan Markle and the Queen Today," 15 June 2018
A few years after Anne was dishonorably discharged from the court, she was given the chance to return and join her sister as one of Catherine of Aragon’s ladies-in-waiting.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Anne Boleyn," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lady.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lady

Middle English, from Old English hlǣfdige, from hlāf bread + -dige (akin to dǣge kneader of bread) — more at loaf, dairy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

lady Synonyms

Synonyms

female, woman;

Related Words

dame, gentlewoman;

madam, madame, senora (or señora);

beauty, belle, damsel, gal, girl, ingenue (or ingénue), lass, lassie, mademoiselle, maid, maiden, miss, senorita (or señorita);

LADY Defined for English Language Learners

lady

noun

Definition of lady for English Language Learners

: a woman who behaves in a polite way
: a woman of high social position
: a man's girlfriend

LADY Defined for Kids

lady

noun la·dy \ ˈlā-dē \

Definition of lady for Students

plural ladies

1 : a woman of high social position

2 : a woman or girl who behaves in a polite way

3 : woman 1

The lady behind me was first.

4 : wife

5 : a British noblewoman —used as a title

Lady Jane Grey

History for lady

Lady was actually formed as a compound word, though its nature has been completely disguised by centuries of sound change. The Old English ancestor of lady was hlǣfdige, “female head of the household.” This compound is made up of hlāf, “loaf, bread,” and -dige, which is thought to mean “kneader,” and is akin to Old English dāg, “dough.” Why the “kneader of dough” was thought to be the most important woman in the household we are not quite sure.