lady

noun, often attributive

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la·dy | \ ˈlā-dē

plural ladies

Definition of lady

1a : 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

3a : 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

4a : wife

b : girlfriend, mistress

5a : 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

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing lady Learn More About lady

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 First lady Jill Biden visited western Ukraine last weekend for a Mother’s Day meeting with Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska. — Lisa Mascaro, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 2022 First lady Jill Biden visited western Ukraine last weekend for a Mother’s Day meeting with Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska. — Lisa Mascaro, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2022 First lady Jill Biden visited western Ukraine last weekend for a Mother's Day meeting with Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska. — Lisa Mascaro, ajc, 15 May 2022 Around the same time Jim and Bruce decided, just for the thrill of lawlessness, to rob an unsuspecting lady walking along a Glasgow street. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 12 May 2022 First lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday, meeting with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, who had not been seen in public since Russia invaded her country on Feb. 24. — Harold Maass, The Week, 9 May 2022 First lady Jill Biden greets Olena Zelenska, spouse of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, outside of a public school in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, on Sunday, May 8, 2022. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 May 2022 First lady Jill Biden’s weekend trip to Eastern Europe will include a Mother’s Day trip to Slovakia’s border with Ukraine, the White House announced Thursday. — Mariia Ulianovska, NBC News, 6 May 2022 Swap the lady fingers for Nilla cookies dipped in espresso, then add mascarpone pudding and bananas. — Janae Mckenzie, Glamour, 5 May 2022 See More

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.