Definition

1. Noun (plural of ):
   • Women of good social standing: "ladies" refers to women who are polite, refined, or of a certain social status.
   • A polite term for women: Used as a respectful or formal way to address or refer to a group of women.
   • A women's public restroom: In British English, "ladies" (often as "the ladies' room") denotes a toilet facility for women.

Usage Examples

• Women of good social standing:
  • The ladies of the manor attended the charity gala. (The refined women from the estate were present.)
• Polite term for women:
  • Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. (A formal address to a mixed audience.)
• A women's public restroom:
  • Excuse me, where is the ladies? (Where is the women's toilet?)

Advanced Usage

• "Ladies' man": a man who is popular with or often flirts with women.
  • He's a bit of a ladies' man, always charming the women at parties. (He is known for being attractive to women.)
• "Ladies' choice": a dance or activity where women choose their partners.
  • At the ball, it was ladies' choice for the next waltz. (Women selected their dance partners.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lady (n): the singular form; a woman of high social position or polite manners.
  • She is a true lady — always gracious and kind. (She behaves with refinement.)
• Lady-like (adj): having the qualities of a lady; polite and graceful.
  • Her lady-like comportment impressed everyone. (Her polite and graceful behaviour was notable.)

Synonyms

• Women: adult female humans (neutral term).
• Gentlewomen: women of good birth or breeding (archaic).
• Females: a biological term (less formal in social contexts).

Related Idioms

• "Ladies first": a polite phrase indicating that women should go before men in certain situations.
  • He held the door and said, "Ladies first." (He allowed women to enter before him.)
• "Ladies' night": an event where women receive special treatment or discounts.
  • The club has a ladies' night every Thursday with free drinks for women. (A promotional evening for female patrons.)