npluralladies[C][
Language: Old English;Origin: hlAfdige, from hlaf
'bread' + -dige
'one who kneads']
a) a woman of a particular type or age
young/old/elderly etc ladyb) a word meaning woman, used especially to describe women's sports or products made for women
ladies' team/champion/championship etc the ladies' darts teamladies' fashion/clothing/shoes etc ladies' underwearc)old-fashioned 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)
a woman who is polite and behaves very well
→
gentleman She knows how to behave like a lady.Ladyused as the title of the wife or daughter of a British
nobleman or the wife of a
knight Lady Spencerthe ladiesa)BrE a women's toilet
American Equivalent:
ladies' room→
the gents'b) a word meaning women, often used humorously
His boyish good looks made him a favourite with the ladies.→
ladies' manladiesspoken formal used to speak to a group of women
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?a woman, especially one with a strong character - used to show approval
She can be a tough lady to negotiate with.lady frienda woman that a man is having a romantic relationship with - often used humorously
=
girlfriend I saw Chris with his new lady friend.lady of leisurea 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?AmE 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?Our Ladyan expression used to mean Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
the lady of the houseold-fashioned the most important woman in a house, usually the mother of a family
old-fashioned a woman born into a high social class in Britain
I could see the Queen, surrounded by her lords and ladies.old-fashioned a man's wife
the captain and his lady→
bag lady,cleaning ladyatcleaning, first lady,leading ladyatleading1 ,
lollipop lady, old lady,young ladyatyoung1 (3)