lady

noun

ˈlā-dē How to pronounce lady (audio)
Definition of ladynext
1
as in woman
an adult female human being "ladies and gentlemen, please observe closely," said the magician

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2
as in wife
a female partner in a marriage in public the husband was frequently seen holding hands with his lady

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3
as in countess
a woman of high birth or social position the ladies of the royal court were all dressed extravagantly

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4
as in girlfriend
a female romantic companion when do we get to meet your new lady?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lady Every lady was happy to oblige and it cannot be overstated how much this detail adds to the whole show’s majesty. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 First lady Eleanor Roosevelt was part of a contingent that intervened, and Anderson sang on Easter Sunday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the first time the monument had been used for a civil rights event. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Fans of Peacock’s cozy drama about friendship, family, and fame will soon be reunited with their favorite ladies. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 More pre-fall favorites This fall, expect to see funnel-neck jackets, slim-fitting and lady jackets, sheer apparel, earth-tones and pops of color. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lady
  1. woman
  2. wife
  3. countess
  4. girlfriend
  5. female
  6. queen
  7. girl
  8. duchess
Noun
  • Twelve people were rescued, and divers later located the woman and the infant in the water, police said.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The issue has dominated conversation around the WNBA in the wake of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments in favor of excluding trans athletes from women’s sports.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of woman
Noun
  • In the second-season finale, some time after Aemond had killed Rhaenyra’s son Luke, Alicent arrives in secret to Dragonstone to barter Aegon’s life in exchange for peace, and safety in particular for her daughter (and Aegon’s wife) Helaena.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Then Green, his wife and Beloozerov spent the next several days planning their trip and eating meals Beloozerov paid for in cash pulled from a pouch around his neck stocked with $100, $50 and $2 bills.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of wife
Noun
  • De Lesseps turned a fall from countess to tabloid fixture into a thriving cabaret career.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Where foreign adventurers once brought conflict to Costa Rica’s coast, a European countess left behind a sanctuary of profound peace.
    — Donna Hardie-Scott, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of countess
Noun
  • Johnson created the story of Nancy (Emilia Jones), who is not a girlfriend, but a crush who Bourdain foolhardily (and under false pretenses) follows to Provincetown after not getting a writing fellowship.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sheila Kuehl played Zelda Gilroy, Dobie’s smart and confident classmate and eventual girlfriend.
    — Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of girlfriend
Noun
  • North Carolina politician says Democrats are coddling criminals Records also list a September 2025 simple-assault charge and a March 2025 charge of assault on a female.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Young primates were much more likely to play with members of another species, whereas adult females were more often involved in grooming.
    — Cyril Grueter, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of female
Noun
  • Spotting white bugs on your hibiscus, that tropical queen of the patio, can put a damper on your gardening efforts.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to this year's king and queen, Monroe Edwards was named the 2026 Bud Billiken Crown Princess.
    — Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of queen
Noun
  • The first murder is a girl slicing into her slumbering mother’s neck with a hacksaw; then her brother pounds his father’s face in with a baseball bat.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Flanked by hydrangea bushes, this charming Cape Cod-style cottage is the perfect spot for a bachelorette weekend or girls’ trip.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of girl
Noun
  • But that’s not what made the duchess decide to hit back publicly by having an anonymous member of her team leak a statement to People and other media outlets.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Another image shows the duchess as a young girl sitting crossed legged on the bed, her hair styled into braids.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of duchess

Phrases Containing lady

Browse Nearby Words

lads
lady
lady-in-waiting
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Cite this Entry

“Lady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lady. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lady

Nglish: Translation of lady for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lady

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