lady

The word lady is a term of respect for a girl or woman, the equivalent of gentleman. It is a polite formal way of referring to a woman. The word lady could be used as an old fashion way of referring to or talking to a woman. It can be used to talk to a woman in a way that is not polite and is considerd offensive by many women. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the female equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman. Informal use of this word is sometimes euphemistic ("lady of the night" for a prostitute) or, in American slang, condescending (equivalent to "mister" or "man").
"Lady" is also a formal title in the United Kingdom. "Lady" is used before the family name of a woman with a title of nobility or honorary title suo jure (in her own right), or the wife of a lord, a baronet, Scottish feudal baron, laird, or a knight, and also before the first name of the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl.

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