la‧dy S1 W2 / leɪdi / 名词 ( 复数形式 ladies ) [可数名词]

1

a) a woman of a particular type or age

young/old/elderly etc lady

b) a word meaning woman, used especially to describe women’s sports or products made for women

ladies’ team/champion/championship etc

the ladies’ darts team

ladies’ fashion/clothing/shoes etc

ladies’ underwear

c) 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 )

Register

Lady often sounds old-fashioned, especially when it is used about younger women. In everyday English, people usually say woman :

His cousin is a 26-year-old woman who works in a kindergarten.

2 a woman who is polite and behaves very well → gentleman :

She knows how to behave like a lady.

3 Lady used as the title of the wife or daughter of a British nobleman or the wife of a knight :

Lady Spencer

4 the ladies

a) British English a women’s toilet 同义词 ladies’ room American English → the gents’

b) a word meaning women, often used humorously :

His boyish good looks made him a favourite with the ladies. → ladies’ man

5 ladies spoken formal used to speak to a group of women :

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?

6 a woman, especially one with a strong character – used to show approval :

She can be a tough lady to negotiate with.

7 lady friend a woman that a man is having a romantic relationship with – often used humorously 同义词 girlfriend :

I saw Chris with his new lady friend.

8 lady of leisure a 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?

9 American English 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?

Register

Addressing a woman directly as lady sounds rude. In polite American English, people use Miss or Ma’am instead :

Can I help you, Miss ?

10 Our Lady an expression used to mean Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ

11 the lady of the house old-fashioned the most important woman in a house, usually the mother of a family

12 old-fashioned a woman born into a high social class in Britain :

I could see the Queen, surrounded by her lords and ladies.

13 old-fashioned a man’s wife :

the captain and his lady

→ bag lady , → cleaning lady at cleaning , → first lady , → leading lady at leading 1 , → lollipop lady , old lady , → young lady at young 1 ( 3 )

THESAURUS

woman a female adult person : a young woman with dark brown hair

lady a polite word for a woman – used especially when you do not know the woman, or when the person you are talking to does not know the woman : A glass of white wine please, for this lady here. | The young lady stood up and shook my hand.

girl a young female person – usually used about someone younger than about twenty : a very pretty girl | teenage girls

female formal a woman – used especially when you are giving information about women, for example in formal surveys and reports : Females account for 46% of Internet users.