la ‧ dy S1 W2 /ˈleɪdi/ BrE AmE noun ( plural ladies ) [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: hlæfdige , from hlaf 'bread' + -dige 'one who kneads' ]
1 .
a) a woman of a particular type or age
young/old/elderly etc lady
b) a word meaning woman, used especially to describe women’s sports or products made for women
ladies’ team/champion/championship etc
the ladies’ darts team
ladies’ fashion/clothing/shoes etc
ladies’ underwear
c) a word meaning woman, used in order to be polite ⇨ gentleman :
The young lady at reception sent me up here.
Give your coat to the lady over there.
lady doctor/lawyer etc (=a polite word, which many women find offensive, for a woman doctor, lawyer, etc)
REGISTER
Lady often sounds old-fashioned, especially when it is used about younger women. In everyday English, people usually say woman :
▪
His cousin is a 26-year-old woman who works in a kindergarten.
2 . a woman who is polite and behaves very well ⇨ gentleman :
She knows how to behave like a lady.
3 . Lady used as the title of the wife or daughter of a British ↑ nobleman or the wife of a ↑ knight :
Lady Spencer
4 . the ladies
a) British English a women’s toilet SYN ladies’ room American English ⇨ the gents’
b) a word meaning women, often used humorously:
His boyish good looks made him a favourite with the ladies.
⇨ LADIES’ MAN
5 . ladies spoken formal used to speak to a group of women:
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?
6 . a woman, especially one with a strong character – used to show approval:
She can be a tough lady to negotiate with.
7 . lady friend a woman that a man is having a romantic relationship with – often used humorously SYN girlfriend :
I saw Chris with his new lady friend.
8 . lady of leisure a woman who does not work and has a lot of free time – used humorously:
So you’re a lady of leisure now that the kids are at school?
9 . American English spoken used when talking directly to a woman you do not know, when you are angry with her:
Hey, lady, would you mind getting out of my way?
REGISTER
Addressing a woman directly as lady sounds rude. In polite American English, people use Miss or Ma'am instead:
▪
Can I help you, Miss?
10 . Our Lady an expression used to mean Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
11 . the lady of the house old-fashioned the most important woman in a house, usually the mother of a family
12 . old-fashioned a woman born into a high social class in Britain:
I could see the Queen, surrounded by her lords and ladies.
13 . old-fashioned a man’s wife:
the captain and his lady
⇨ ↑ bag lady , ⇨ cleaning lady at ↑ cleaning , ⇨ ↑ first lady , ⇨ leading lady at ↑ leading 1 , ⇨ ↑ lollipop lady , ↑ old lady , ⇨ young lady at ↑ young 1 (3)
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THESAURUS
▪ woman a female adult person:
a young woman with dark brown hair
▪ lady a polite word for a woman – used especially when you do not know the woman, or when the person you are talking to does not know the woman:
A glass of white wine please, for this lady here.
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The young lady stood up and shook my hand.
▪ girl a young female person – usually used about someone younger than about twenty:
a very pretty girl
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teenage girls
▪ female formal a woman – used especially when you are giving information about women, for example in formal surveys and reports:
Females account for 46% of Internet users.