ladies

USAGE SUMMARY

'ladies' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a group of women, often in a polite or respectful manner. For example: "The ladies at the park were enjoying the sunny day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was ladies' night when we visited, so while my girlfriend waltzed in free of charge, I had to fork out €15 for the pleasure.

The Guardian - Travel

I know that ladies in towering heels do need a rest sometimes, but surely there are chairs for that?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He had been given the tip by his cousin, a player in the Turkish ladies national volleyball team.

The Guardian - Sport

The embarrassment at having to explain to a child why in among the words there were naked ladies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We didn't want it to look as though we were picking up on someone else's idea," said a spokesman for the BBC, which was first approached about The Ladies' Paradise by Gallagher a decade ago.

The Guardian

Ballerini's ascent kicked into overdrive when she was got adopted into Swift's Squad of Powerful Ladies™.

The Guardian - Music

In the late 18th century, these two aristocratic Irish ladies, after several attempts (including one dressed as men), escaped on a boat for Britain, hunting, though they were only young, for "a life of sweet and delicious retirement" dedicated to "friendship, celibacy and the knitting of stockings", wrote Sir Walter Scott.

The Guardian - Money

Progressives think they mean back to the 1950s, back to when men were men, women were ladies, and black folks only got into the White House by the back door.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was something that did not appeal to public school-educated male cabinet, who were mostly brought up to defer politely to ladies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"As we were getting ready to leave [for Balmoral] we were told we had been disinvited because one of the ladies-in-waiting had discovered that my partner and I weren't married and had told the Queen.

The Guardian

"Ah, the four pretty wenches," he says to her ladies-in-waiting.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ladies" when aiming for a polite and respectful tone, particularly when addressing a group of women or referring to them in a formal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "ladies" in very casual or informal settings where it may sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Opt for more relaxed terms like "women" or "girls" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ladies" is as a plural noun. It refers to a group of women and is often used as a term of address or general reference. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "ladies" functions as a plural noun, typically used to refer to a group of women in a polite or formal manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts, predominantly within news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. While highly common, context matters: its formal tone may be unsuitable in casual settings. For alternative options, consider "women", "females", or "girls", adjusting for the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

women

A more general term for adult female human beings, lacking the specific connotations of politeness or formality.

females

A biological term referring to the sex, often used in scientific or formal contexts.

girls

Refers to younger female individuals, often considered less formal than "ladies".

womenfolk

An informal and sometimes folksy term for women in general.

dames

An older or slightly humorous term for women, sometimes implying a degree of sophistication or worldliness.

gals

An informal and often affectionate term for women, common in casual speech.

chicks

A very informal and sometimes derogatory term for young women; use with caution.

female persons

A formal and legalistic term for women.

matrons

Refers to married or older women, often implying a certain social status or role.

madams

Plural form of "madam", a polite form of address for a woman.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "ladies" in a sentence?

Use "ladies" as a plural noun to refer to a group of women, often in formal or polite contexts. For example, "Good evening, "ladies" and gentlemen."

Are there alternative phrases I can use instead of "ladies"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "women", "females", or "girls". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific situation.

When is it appropriate to use "ladies" and when is it not?

"Ladies" is appropriate in formal events, announcements, or when addressing a group of women respectfully. It might not be suitable in very casual or informal conversations where it can sound overly formal or even ironic.

What is the difference between using "ladies" and "women"?

"Ladies" carries a connotation of politeness and formality, often used in addressing or referring to women in a respectful manner. "Women" is a more general and neutral term for adult female human beings.