Phrase guide

dragon lady

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An East Asian woman who is stereotypically strong, deceitful, domineering, or mysterious.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First used in "Terry and the Pirates" in December 1934, for a female pirate based on the historical woman pirate Lai Choi San. The "dragon" part refers to her Chinese background (as dragons are symbols in Chinese culture) and her fierce attitude.