Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - lady

~ n plural ladies 1 »WOMAN« a) a word meaning woman, used because people think it is a more polite word  (Give your coat to the lady over there. | The young lady at reception sent me up here. | the ladies' darts team | tea lady/cleaning lady etc (=a woman who does a particular job) | lady doctor/councillor etc (=a polite word, which many women find offensive, for a woman doctor, councillor, etc))  (- see also dinner lady) b) approving especially AmE a woman, especially one with a strong character  (She's a real smart lady.) 2 »POLITE WOMAN« a woman who is always polite and behaves very well  (Sheila always tries to be a lady.) 3 »WOMAN OF HIGH CLASS« a woman born into a high social class in Britain  (a lady of noble birth) 4 »WIFE/GIRLFRIEND« old-fashioned or literary a man's wife or female friend  (the captain and his lady) 5 »WHEN SPEAKING TO A WOMAN« AmE a way of addressing a woman, which many women consider to be offensive  (Hey, lady, watch where you're going!) 6 the ladies BrE a women's toilet; ladies room AmE  (- compare the gents gent (2)) 7 Lady a) used as the title of the wife or daughter of a British nobleman or the wife of a knight1 (2)  (Lady Diana) b) BrE used in the title of women with a high official position  (Lady President) 8 the lady of the house old-fashioned the most important woman in a house, usually the mother of a family 9 lady of leisure often humorous a woman who does not work and has a lot of free time  (So you're a lady of leisure now that the kids are at school?) 10 lady friend often humorous a man's female friend; girlfriend  (I saw him with his new lady friend.)  (- see also bag lady, first lady, old lady, Our Lady)