The meaning of LADY is a woman having proprietary rights or authority especially as a feudal superior.

In some contexts "lady" is synonymous with the old-fashioned word "gentlewoman", meaning someone of high social status by birth and upbringing, but not necessarily titled. The term is also used in titles …

LADY definition: 1. a polite or old-fashioned way of referring to or talking to a woman: 2. a woman who behaves in…. Learn more.

Usage Note: The word lady goes back to Old English and was traditionally used for a woman of social standing or rank.

Definition of lady noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

3 days ago · An old-fashioned or extremely polite word for "woman" is lady. A waiter who's trying to be charming might say, "Can I get anything else for you ladies?" There are instances when lady is the …

Aug 5, 2025 · In its most common use, "lady" refers to a woman who is addressed with respect or courtesy. Historically, "lady" signifies a woman of noble birth or high social rank. In modern contexts, …

In the meanings "refined, polite woman'' and "woman of high social position'' the noun lady is the parallel of gentleman. As forms of address, both nouns are used in the plural (Ladies and gentlemen, thank …

Dec 21, 2025 · From Middle English lady, laddy, lafdi, lavedi, from Old English hlǣfdīġe (“mistress of a household, wife of a lord, lady”, literally “bread-kneader”), from hlāf (“bread, loaf”) + dīġe (“kneader”), …

There are 27 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun lady, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.