/ ˈleɪdi; NAmE / ( pl. -ies ) noun
1.
[ C ] a word used to mean 'woman' that some people, especially older people, consider is more polite :
There's a lady waiting to see you.
He was with an attractive young lady.
the ladies' golf championship
( BrE )
a tea lady (= a woman who serves tea in an office)
( NAmE , approving )
She's a tough lady.
a lady doctor / golfer
HELP NOTE : Some women object to the way lady is used in some of these examples and prefer it to be avoided if possible:
a doctor / a woman doctor
There's someone waiting to see you.
—see also bag lady , cleaning lady , dinner lady , first lady , leading lady , lunch lady , old lady
2.
[ C ] a woman who is polite and well educated, has excellent manners and always behaves well :
His wife was a real lady.
—compare gentleman
3.
[ C , usually pl. ] ( formal ) used when speaking to or about a girl or woman, especially sb you do not know :
Can I take your coats, ladies?
Could I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen ?
HELP NOTE : Some women do not like ladies used on its own, as in the first example, and prefer it to be left out.
4.
[ sing. ] ( especially NAmE ) an informal way to talk to a woman, showing a lack of respect :
Listen, lady, don't shout at me.
5.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) (in Britain) a woman belonging to a high social class :
the lords and ladies of the court
a lady's maid
6.
Lady [ C ] (in Britain) a title used by a woman who is a member of the nobility , or by sb who has been given the title 'lady' as an honour. The wives and daughters of some members of the nobility and the wives of knights are also called 'Lady' :
Lady Howe
Lady Jane Grey
—compare Lord , Sir
7.
a / the ladies [ U ] ( BrE ) ( NAmE ˈladies' room [ C ]) a toilet / bathroom for women in a public building or place :
Could you tell me where the ladies is?
8.
Our Lady a title used to refer to Mary, the mother of Christ, especially in the Roman Catholic Church :
Our Lady of Lourdes
•
IDIOMS
see fat adjective , leisure
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hlǣfdīge (denoting a woman to whom homage or obedience is due, such as the wife of a lord, also specifically the Virgin Mary), from hlāf loaf + a Germanic base meaning knead, related to dough ; compare with lord .