Standard Lemma guide

ladyship

noun · 3 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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  • UK, US: /ˈleɪ.di.ʃɪp/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Term of respect for a woman of the peerage without using her title.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • "Her ladyship will be unable to attend tonight," he said, with a wink because he hadn't said why.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Formal form of address for a lady judge (as opposed to the informal "judge").

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, England

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a title used to address any peeress except a duchess

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Your Ladyship
  • Her Ladyship

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: title

History

Etymology

From Middle English ladyschipe, ladyshipe; equivalent to lady + -ship.

Across languages

Translations

19 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: korkeus — Term of respect
  • Finnish: ylhäisyys — Term of respect
  • French: La Dame — Term of respect
  • French: Madame — Term of respect
  • German: Die Herrin — Term of respect
  • Irish: An Bhantiarna — Term of respect
  • Italian: La Signora — Term of respect
  • Latin: Domina — Term of respect
  • Middle English: ladyschipe — Term of respect
  • Polish: Pani — Term of respect
  • Portuguese: A Senhora — Term of respect
  • Russian: све́тлость (svétlostʹ) — Term of respect
  • Russian: ми́лость (mílostʹ) — Term of respect
  • Russian: миле́ди (milédi) — Term of respect
  • Russian: благородие (blagorodije) — Term of respect
  • Scottish Gaelic: A' Bhaintighearna — Term of respect
  • Spanish: La Señora — Term of respect
  • Telugu: దొరసానితనము (dorasānitanamu) — Term of respect
  • Welsh: Yr Arglwyddes — Term of respect