noun
lady
LAY-dee
noun
1
A polite or formal word for a woman, especially one with refined manners.
"A well-dressed lady stepped out of the taxi."
"Please, ladies and gentlemen, take your seats."
2
A British title of nobility for a woman, used before her name (as the wife of a lord or knight, or in her own right).
"Lady Cavendish opened the charity gala."
"He was knighted, so his wife is now known as Lady Harris."
How to Use Lady
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respectful word for a woman, or a formal British noble title placed before a name.
Common mistake
As a title, "Lady" is used the way "Lord" is for men — don't confuse it with the informal, everyday use meaning simply "woman".
Common pairings
a young lady
lady of the house
first lady
Lady Macbeth
Word Forms
ladied past tense, Ladies plural, ladies singular
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A well-dressed _____ stepped out of the taxi.
Etymology
From Old English hlæfdige, literally "loaf-kneader" — from hlaf ("bread, loaf") plus a word meaning "kneader". The same root as loaf. It is not related to "lad".