lady

noun

la·​dy ˈlā-dē 

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

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

Synonyms

• woman
• female

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

Ashley Biden, the daughter of former President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, filed for divorce from her husband Dr. Howard Krein on Monday, Aug. 11, according to court records. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025

Just as her holiday home had to be seen to be believed, so also did this beautiful Christmas lady whose bright light brought so much joy to the world. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025

Yes, the idea has long been prevalent that a lady should be able to conceal her age. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025

In a recent interview with Vulture, Akerman, 47, said that the Netflix series' creative team referenced first lady Melania Trump while explaining the character Margo — a socialite with dark secrets whose husband, Jed (Dermot Mulroney), is running for Texas governor. —Brianne Tracy, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing lady

• a lady/man/gentleman of leisure
• bag lady
• cleaning lady
• dragon lady
• first lady
• it ain't over until/till the fat lady sings
• lady apple
• lady chapel
• lady-in-waiting
• lady-killer
• lady luck
• lady of the house
• lady's man
• lady's mantle
• lady's slipper
• lady's-smock
• lady's thumb
• leading lady
• old lady
• painted lady
• pink lady
• second lady
• the lady of the house

Rhymes for lady

• cady
• shady
• zaidi
• arcady
• landlady

Kids Definition

lady

noun

la·​dy ˈlād-ē 

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

: woman sense 1

5

: wife sense 2

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.