lady
lady Lexical Profile
lady Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A polite or formal term for an adult female person, especially one perceived as having refined manners, grace, or high social standing.
"The elderly lady sitting across from us offered a warm smile and shared stories about her youth."
British A title of honor or nobility borne by peeresses, female relatives of peers, or the wives and widows of knights and baronets.
"The historic country estate was bequeathed to Lady Macbeth's descendants several centuries ago."
A woman who is the head of a household or who holds authority over an estate or domain.
"As the lady of the house, she personally oversaw the preparation for the annual charity banquet."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used as a polite synonym for 'woman', using 'lady' as a direct vocative address to a stranger (e.g., 'Hey, lady!') is considered informal and frequently impolite or confrontational.
• Rhymes for lady
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'hlæfdige', a compound of 'hlaf' (bread or loaf) and the root 'dige' (kneader), literally meaning 'kneader of bread', serving as the female counterpart to 'lord' ('hlafweard', loaf-keeper).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.