noun
Common
ladies
LAY-deez
Ladies (noun) means plural of "lady," or informally, a women's restroom. Example: “She excused herself to the ladies before the meeting started.”
noun
1
Plural of "lady," or informally, a women's restroom.
"She excused herself to the ladies before the meeting started."
"The ladies at the front table were discussing the charity gala."
"Excuse me, where is the ladies in this shopping centre, please?"
How to use ladies
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one lady, or a shorthand for the women's bathroom.
When to use it
"The ladies" as a bathroom is informal British usage; American English usually says "the ladies' room."
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She excused herself to the _____ before the meeting started.
Etymology
As a term for a women's lavatory, it arose via a misspelling of ladies'. Compare gents.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ladies
See all rhymes for ladies →Frequently asked questions
What does “ladies” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “ladies”?
“Ladies” is pronounced LAY-deez (/ˈleɪ.diz/ in IPA).
How do you use “ladies” in a sentence?
Here is “ladies” used in a sentence: “She excused herself to the ladies before the meeting started.”
What part of speech is “ladies”?
“Ladies” is a noun.
Is “ladies” a common word?
“Ladies” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'ladies' and 'ladies''?
'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.
What is the singular of ladies?
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.
Is it polite to say 'ladies'?
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.
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