lady
/ˈleɪ.di/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈedi] /ˈleɪ.di/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈedi] /ˈlā-dē/ (ame, mw)
lady — noun
- ladysingular
- ladiesplural
1. a polite, and sometimes slightly old-fashioned, word for a woman, especially whe
a polite, and sometimes slightly old-fashioned, word for a woman, especially when you are speaking respectfully to or about her
The receptionist said a lady from Taipei was waiting in the lobby.
a lady + from [place] in polite reference
Please help the elderly lady with her suitcase on the platform.
The children thanked the lady who handed back their lost kite.
A lady at the bakery asked whether the last cake was sold.
文法句型
a / the lady
lady + relative clause
speak to a lady
用法筆記
Often chosen instead of woman when the speaker wants to sound courteous. In some contexts it can feel slightly old-fashioned, especially when talking about strangers.
常見錯誤
2. someone seen as refined because she stays polite, calm, and well mannered in soc
someone seen as refined because she stays polite, calm, and well mannered in social situations
At dinner, everyone noticed that Miriam was a real lady with the new waiter.
a real lady + calm treatment of other people
Even during the argument, Farah remained a lady and never insulted anyone.
My grandfather still calls Aunt Rosa a lady because of her perfect manners.
Nadia behaved like a lady and thanked the host before leaving.
- gentlewoman
more formal and often tied to traditional ideas of good breeding
- grande dame
suggests an impressive, highly respected older woman
- lout
a rude person with bad manners
文法句型
be a lady
act like a lady
用法筆記
This sense praises behavior, not social rank. Distinguish it from sense 8, which is about high class or position rather than manners.
常見錯誤
3. used before some job names to show that the person doing the work is a woman, in
used before some job names to show that the person doing the work is a woman, in wording that now often sounds dated
My grandmother still prefers the phrase lady doctor to female doctor.
lady + profession noun in older wording
The old newspaper praised the town's first lady mayor in 1954.
Some older customers asked whether a lady pharmacist was on duty.
The museum label mentioned a lady painter from Tainan, showing the era's wording.
文法句型
lady + job noun
lady doctor / lady mayor
用法筆記
Now often replaced by neutral wording such as doctor, mayor, or pharmacist without any extra marker. Use this sense mainly when reporting older language or when the speaker intentionally sounds traditional.
常見錯誤
4. a way of calling to a woman that sounds sharp, disrespectful, or rude
a way of calling to a woman that sounds sharp, disrespectful, or rude
Hey, lady, you dropped your receipt by the self-checkout machine.
Hey, lady as abrupt direct address
The cyclist shouted, "Watch it, lady!" before speeding through the light.
A man in the queue snapped, "Move, lady," and everyone stared at him.
When the clerk called her "lady" in that tone, Yuki looked offended.
- ma'am
polite opposite in many service or public situations
文法句型
Hey, lady
Listen, lady
用法筆記
Commonly heard in complaints, arguments, or impatient street talk. Distinguish it from sense 1, where lady is meant respectfully.
常見錯誤
5. a public toilet for women, usually referred to as the ladies
a public toilet for women, usually referred to as the ladies
Mina asked a waiter where the ladies were before the film began.
where are the ladies? for restroom location
The sign beside the stairs pointed left to the ladies.
Sheena left her bag outside the ladies while washing her hands.
There was a long line for the ladies during the concert break.
- ladies' room
a fuller version with the same meaning
- women's room
more direct and widely understood
- the gents
the matching men's toilet
文法句型
go to the ladies
where are the ladies?
用法筆記
Normally used in the plural with the. In many places, restroom or women's room is more common, especially in American English.
常見錯誤
6. used to address the women in an audience, especially in the fixed opening ladies
used to address the women in an audience, especially in the fixed opening ladies and gentlemen
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to tonight's charity concert.
fixed public opening: ladies and gentlemen
The pilot began, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will land in ten minutes."
After the lights dimmed, the host greeted the audience as ladies and gentlemen.
On the school stage, Hana said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the show."
文法句型
Ladies and gentlemen
ladies, ...
用法筆記
Most often appears as part of a set phrase rather than as an ordinary plural noun. Some speakers now prefer more inclusive openings such as everyone or guests.
常見錯誤
7. a title used in Britain for some women of noble rank, for women given that honor
a title used in Britain for some women of noble rank, for women given that honor, or for the wives of certain titled men
Lady Eleanor opened the new village library with the mayor.
Lady + first name as a title
The letter was addressed to Lady Patel at the London office.
Guests bowed slightly when Lady Amelia entered the old hall.
Sir Thomas and Lady Grant hosted the garden party on Sunday.
文法句型
Lady + surname
Sir ... and Lady ...
用法筆記
Usually written with a capital L when it is part of a title before a name. Distinguish it from sense 8, which describes a socially important woman rather than the formal title itself.
常見錯誤
8. a socially important woman from the upper class, especially in historical or lit
a socially important woman from the upper class, especially in historical or literary settings
In the novel, the young lady refused to eat with the servants.
lady as a woman of rank in fiction
People in the village spoke of her as a great lady with influence.
The hotel portrait showed a lady in silk gloves beside a carriage.
He bowed stiffly, believing every wealthy lady deserved formal respect.
- gentlewoman
formal word for a woman of good family or high social position
文法句型
great lady
young lady of high rank
用法筆記
This sense focuses on social standing. It can overlap in old novels with sense 7, but here the idea is status or class, not the official title.
9. one of the devotional titles for Jesus's mother Mary, especially in Catholic wor
one of the devotional titles for Jesus's mother Mary, especially in Catholic worship
The choir sang a hymn to Our Lady before the evening Mass.
Our Lady as a fixed religious title
A candle burned beneath a small statue of Our Lady in the chapel.
Maria wore a medal showing Our Lady and the infant Jesus.
The priest invited the children to pray to Our Lady for comfort.
- the Virgin Mary
full religious name rather than the shorter title
文法句型
Our Lady
pray to Our Lady
用法筆記
Usually capitalized and often preceded by Our. This is a fixed religious title, not the ordinary noun in sense 1.