leading lady

noun

: an actress who plays the leading female role

Examples of leading lady in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rachel Brosnahan was already an Emmy nominee when Amy Sherman-Palladino entered her life, but the prolific creator’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel quickly turned the actor into an Emmy-winning leading lady. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 And the Academy Award for best career turnaround goes to…Demi Moore, who has gone from formerly bankable leading lady to genuine Oscar hopeful this year. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2025 Season 3 As for Sarah Jessica Parker's leading lady Carrie Bradshaw, the famed writer turned podcaster — who is now working on penning a romantasy novel — is in a weird place with Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) following season 2's finale. Julia Moore, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Enter associate director Chloe (Bella Coppola), a former actress with a terrific singing voice whose body size, she’s been told repeatedly, isn’t compatible with the career of a leading lady. Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading lady

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading lady was in 1860

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Cite this Entry

“Leading lady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20lady. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading lady

noun
: an actress who plays the leading female role in a play or movie

More from Merriam-Webster on leading lady

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