Lady Meaning: Polite Woman Definition & Examples

Meaning 1：polite woman (lady)

lady 🔊

/ˈleɪdi/

A woman who is polite, kind, and behaves in a way that shows good manners.

Lady pouring tea at garden party with elegant dress

polite woman 🔊

➕

/pəˈlaɪt ˈwʊmən/

A lady is a woman who demonstrates politeness, kindness, and refined manners in her behavior.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From OE hlæfdige (bread + kneader); originally 'female head of household'.

💡 Mnemonic

A 'lady' is someone who 'lays' (places) grace and kindness as she goes.

📖 Example

Everyone at the party admired the lady for her graceful manners and soft-spoken words. 🔊 Everyone at the party admired the lady for her graceful manners and soft-spoken words.

🔗 Collocations

first lady – the wife of a head of state or the most prominent woman in a particular field

ladies' room – a public restroom for women

leading lady – the female lead in a play or film

🔄 Synonyms

woman (n.) – an adult female human

gentlewoman (n.) – a woman of good family or breeding

dame (n.) – a woman of high rank or a respectful term for a woman

🌱 Derivatives

ladylike (adj.) – having qualities traditionally associated with a lady, such as grace and politeness

lady-in-waiting (n.) – a woman who attends a queen or princess

ladyship (n.) – a title used for a woman of rank, especially a lady

📖 Cultural Story

From OE hlæfdige 'bread-kneader' (household mistress). Became a noble title in Middle English. Modern use: polite term for any woman.