your lordship

USAGE SUMMARY

'your lordship' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a formal way to refer to an aristocrat, judge, or another person in a position of authority. For example, a lawyer might address a judge in court by saying, "Your lordship, the defendant pleads not guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Fired by his fascination with the language and a much-abused dictionary, he undertook a guidebook for outlanders to Loch Earn and what he called "your Lordship's delicious estate".

The New Yorker

Shakespeare dedicated his first narrative poem, Venus and Adonis, simply to the Earl of Southampton but for his second poem, The Rape of Lucrece, the playwright went further with the dedication, writing: "The love I dedicate to your lordship is without end... What I have done is yours; what I have to do is yours; being part in all I have, devoted yours".

The Guardian

"'Brought you your breakfast, your Lordship.

The Guardian - Film

He asks your lordship what a prison sentence would achieve".

The Guardian - Sport

Your Lordship You're not the first to be fooled.

Independent

Yes, your lordship, we get it – you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He wore a simple white cassock when he was introduced as pope and later made reference to his "brother cardinals," rather than addressing them as the customary "your lordships".

The New York Times

Yeah, right, your lordships.

The Guardian

He recalled 1929, "when your Lordships had friends, very good friends, who failed to make this distinction.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, your lordships, I think you need to sort out the sleazy upper house before you start meddling in the affairs of the lobby, don't you?

The Guardian

"When Your Lordships carefully and critically examine the evidence, they will be driven by that to conclude that each of the accused is guilty of murder".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When unsure of someone's correct title or form of address, it's best to err on the side of formality and use "your lordship" until corrected. Better to show respect than appear presumptuous.

Common error

Avoid using "your lordship" in informal or casual settings as it may sound overly pompous or sarcastic. Instead, use a more appropriate form of address, such as "Sir" or the person's name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "your lordship" serves as a formal honorific, used to address men of high rank, particularly judges and members of the peerage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in formal contexts. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in legal settings and when addressing nobility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Your lordship" is a formal honorific used to address judges and members of the British peerage, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical status is correct, but its usage is context-dependent and primarily appropriate in formal settings like courtrooms or interactions with nobility. While common in news and media reporting on such settings, it should be avoided in casual conversation. Related phrases include "your ladyship", "your grace", and "your honor", each tailored to specific ranks or positions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your ladyship

The female equivalent of "your lordship", referring to a female aristocrat.

my lord

A more concise and slightly less formal version of the original phrase.

your grace

Refers to a duke, duchess, or archbishop, indicating a different rank or position.

your honor

Used when addressing a judge or magistrate, denoting a different setting and authority.

your majesty

Used when addressing a king, queen, or emperor, signifying a higher level of royalty.

May it please the court

Traditional opening when addressing the judge, shows respect and deference.

your excellence

A formal address for high-ranking officials, diplomats, or governors.

Right Honourable

A style of address for members of the British Privy Council and some other dignitaries; indicates membership rather than direct address.

sir

A general term of respect for men, lacking the specificity of rank.

madam

A general term of respect for women, lacking the specificity of rank and gender neutrality.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "your lordship"?

Use "your lordship" when addressing a male judge in court or a male member of the British peerage. It's a formal term of address that shows respect for their position.

What is the female equivalent of "your lordship"?

The female equivalent of "your lordship" is "your ladyship". Use it when addressing a female judge or a female member of the British peerage.

Are there any alternatives to "your lordship"?

Alternatives depend on the context. In court, you can say "may it please the court". For nobility, "my lord" is a slightly less formal option, while "your grace" is specific to dukes or archbishops.

Is it ever appropriate to use "your lordship" sarcastically?

While you might encounter "your lordship" used sarcastically in fiction or informal conversation, it is generally inappropriate and disrespectful to use it that way in real-life interactions. Stick to formal, respectful use.