lady
gb/lˈeɪdi/ us/lˈeɪdi/
A1
English
~ 1100
hölgy, nemesasszony, Lady, barátnő, csaj
NOUN
A1
1
hölgy
A2
Usage pattern:
a lady [does something]
The lady at the counter helped me choose a gift.
A pultnál dolgozó hölgy segített ajándékot választani.
A young lady asked for directions to the station.
Egy fiatal hölgy útbaigazítást kért az állomáshoz.
Please give your seat to the lady standing there.
The lady in the red dress is my aunt.
He introduced me to a lovely lady from Spain.
Learner examples
The lady is reading a book.
A hölgy könyvet olvas.
I see a lady in the park.
Látok egy hölgyet a parkban.
That lady is my teacher.
The lady works in the shop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'lady' for girls or children, but it is usually for adults.
Meaning
Adult woman (polite term)
Collocations
young lady
|old lady
|lovely lady
|lady friend
|lady driver
Synonyms
woman (Neutral and more common; 'lady' is more polite or formal.)
Antonyms
gentleman (Refers to an adult male in a polite context.)
Themes
daily life
|people
|social
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|relationships
Definition
A polite word for a grown-up woman.
A polite or respectful term for an adult human female.
NOUN
B1
FORMAL
2
nemesasszony
B2
Lady
B2
Lady Diana was loved by many people.
Lady Dianát sokan szerették.
We were greeted by Lady Margaret at the estate.
A birtokon Lady Margaret fogadott minket.
Lady Macbeth is a famous character in Shakespeare's play.
Learner examples
Lady Diana was a princess.
Lady Diana hercegnő volt.
Lady Margaret lives in a big house.
Lady Margaret egy nagy házban él.
We met Lady Anne at the party.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the general term for women; in this sense it refers specifically to nobility.
Meaning
Woman with noble title
Collocations
Lady Diana
|Lady Macbeth
|Lady of the Manor
Synonyms
noblewoman (More formal and technical term for a titled woman.)
Themes
society
|titles
|politics
|law
|relationships
Definition
A woman who is part of the nobility, or married to a man who is.
A woman who holds a title of nobility or is the wife of a man with such a title, especially in Britain.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s lady
He's taking his lady out for dinner tonight.
I met John's lady at the party last weekend.
His lady is traveling abroad this month.
Learner examples
He is with his lady.
That man and his lady are happy.
My brother's lady is very nice.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this for any female friend; it usually implies romance.
Meaning
Girlfriend or female partner
Collocations
his lady
|my lady
Synonyms
girlfriend (More explicit about romantic relationship; 'lady' can sound more playful or old-fashioned.)
Themes
relationships
|daily_life
Definition
A casual word for a man's girlfriend or the woman he is dating.
Informal term referring to a man's female romantic partner or date.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lady
IPA
GB/lˈeɪdi/
US/lˈeɪdi/
Syllables & stress
lady (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lady)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lady
- Plural: ladies
Word family
Forms
ladies
noun
Related words
ladylike
adjective
gentleman
noun B1
Advanced or less common
ladyship
noun
Expressions
first lady
1/fˈɚst lˈeɪdi/
fixed phrase
Wife of national leader
The wife of the president or leader of a country.
Examples
- The First Lady visited the children's hospital today.
- She became First Lady after her husband was elected.
lady luck
1/lˈeɪdi lˈʌk/
idiom
informal
Luck imagined as a woman
A way of talking about luck as if it were a woman who helps you win or succeed.
Examples
- Lady Luck was on our side during the game.
- They hoped Lady Luck would smile on them.
lady of the house
1/lˈeɪdi əv ðə hˈaʊs/
fixed phrase
Woman in charge of household
The woman who manages or owns a home.
Examples
- Please speak to the lady of the house about the repairs.
- The salesman asked if the lady of the house was in.
my lady
1/mˈaɪ lˈeɪdi/
fixed phrase
formal
Formal address to a woman
A very polite way to talk to a woman, often used in history or formal situations.
Examples
- May I assist you, my lady?
- My lady, your carriage awaits.
ladies and gentlemen
1/lˈeɪdiz ˈænd d͡ʒˈɛntəlmɪn/
fixed phrase
Formal greeting to an audience
A polite way to speak to a group of men and women.
Examples
- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show.
- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's performance.
- Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.
- Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?