ladies

The word “ladies” means plural of "lady," or informally, a women's restroom. In plain terms, more than one lady, or a shorthand for the women's bathroom.

“Ladies” is pronounced LAY-deez (/ˈleɪ.diz/ in IPA).

Here is “ladies” used in a sentence: “She excused herself to the ladies before the meeting started.”

“Ladies” is a noun.

“Ladies” is a fairly common word in modern English.

'Ladies' is the plural noun, meaning more than one lady. 'Ladies'' with an apostrophe after the s is the possessive, showing something belongs to them, as in 'the ladies' room' or 'ladies' shoes'. If you are simply naming the women, use ladies; if something is theirs, add the apostrophe.

The singular is 'lady'. 'Ladies' is its plural, formed by changing the -y to -ies, as with 'baby' and 'babies'. So one woman is a lady, and two or more are ladies. The informal restroom sense, 'the ladies', is treated as singular even though it looks plural.

Generally yes, since 'ladies' is a courteous, slightly formal way to address or refer to women, common in greetings like 'ladies and gentlemen'. Tone matters, though: said sarcastically or dismissively in a workplace, it can sound patronising. In neutral, respectful use it remains perfectly polite.