lady

noun

la·​dy ˈlā-dē How to pronounce lady (audio)
plural ladies
often attributive
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
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

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 on the Web The former first lady was just one of a number of attendees who favored Atelier Versace for their attire to the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s Albie Awards 2024. Julia Teti, WWD, 27 Sep. 2024 That intimidating lady thinks he’s being interfered with by a jealous ghost who wants our heroine for him/itself— away from the competing attentions of husband, pet and now newborn daughter. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024 The former first lady also promoted her new memoir, Melania, during the interview. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Sep. 2024 Shortly before the indictment was announced, Adams appeared at a reception in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art attended by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lady 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lady.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lady was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lady

Cite this Entry

“Lady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lady. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lady

noun
la·​dy ˈlād-ē How to pronounce lady (audio)
plural ladies
1
: a woman of property, rank, or authority
especially : one having a standing equivalent to that of a lord
used as a title
2
capitalized : virgin mary
usually used with Our
3
: a woman of high social position
4
5
Etymology

Old English hlæfdige, from hlāf "loaf of bread" and -dīge, a form of a root word meaning "to knead dough" — related to loaf, lord see Word History at lord

Word Origin
The word lady is nowadays generally used as a polite term for a woman. In the past, however, lady was used primarily for "a woman of a high social class." The Old English ancestor of lady was hlæfdige, which came from two other words. One was hlāf, meaning "loaf of bread." The other was -dīge, a form of a root word meaning "to knead dough." But the word hlæfdige was not used in Old English for an actual bread maker. It was used instead to refer to the woman in charge of maids and of a household. Only very rich and powerful women, members of the nobility, had maids and large households, so a lady was owed much respect. The title lady is still used in Great Britain for a woman who is a member of the nobility.

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