leading lady
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of leading lady
First recorded in 1870–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just this week, he was pictured "getting cosy" with his Euphoria co-star Sydney Sweeney at the Santa Barbara international film festival, prompting a flurry of headlines about his "new leading lady".
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
But it also leaves one realizing that “A Private Life,” despite the commanding leading lady holding its center, is a bit mixed up by design.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026
Crawford’s rise from chorus line to leading lady was driven by the actress’s commitment to her movie-star dreams.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
Taking a story credit on her ‘rom-com gone wrong,’ the ‘Bear’ co-star makes herself a leading lady without waiting for Hollywood’s invitation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2025
We’ll take the leading lady first, who, I believe, would prefer to be briefly described as a languid, sophisticated type.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
