lady

Universal Words (plural ladies) noun 1 [C] a word used to mean 'woman' that some people, especially older people, consider is more polite: There's a lady waiting to see you. * He was with an attractive young lady. * the ladies' golf championship * (BrE) a tea lady (= a woman who serves tea in an office) * a lady doctor / golfer * (AmE, approving) She's a tough lady. HELPNOTE Some women object to the way lady is used in some of these examples and prefer it to be avoided if possible: a doctor / a woman doctor * There's someone waiting to see you. seealsoBAGLADY, CLEANINGLADY, FIRSTLADY, LEADINGLADY, OLDLADY 2 [C] a woman who is polite and well educated, has excellent manners and always behaves well: His wife was a real lady. compareGENTLEMAN 3 [C,usually pl.] (formal) used when speaking to or about a girl or woman, especially sb you do not know: Can I take your coats, ladies? * Could I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen? HELPNOTE Some women do not like ladies used on its own, as in the first example, and prefer it to be left out. 4 [sing.] (especially AmE) an informal way to talk to a woman, showing a lack of respect: Listen, lady, don't shout at me. 5 [C] (old-fashioned) (in Britain) a woman belonging to a high social class: the lords and ladies of the court * a lady's maid 6 (Lady) [C] (in Britain) a title used by women who are members of the NOBILITY or by the wives and daughters of some members of the NOBILITY, or by the wife of a KNIGHT: Lady Thatcher * Lady Jane Grey compareLORD, SIR 7 (a / the ladies) [U] (BrE) (AmE ladies' room [C]) a toilet/bathroom for women in a public building or place: Could you tell me where the ladies is? 8 (Our Lady) a title used to refer to Mary, the mother of Christ, especially in the Roman Catholic Church: Our Lady of Lourdes IDIOMS see LEISURE