lady-in-waiting

[ ley-dee-in-wey-ting ]

noun

, plural la·dies-in-wait·ing.

1. a lady who is in attendance upon a queen or princess.
2. Facetious. a woman who is pregnant:

   flattering fashions for the lady-in-waiting.

lady-in-waiting

noun

1. a lady of a royal household who attends a queen or princess

Word History and Origins

Origin of lady-in-waiting¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

His mother, Anne, was a lady-in-waiting and companion of  Anne Boleyn, Henry's second wife.

From The Daily Beast

The Queen was accompanied in her car to the cathedral by a lady-in-waiting, Lady Farnham, and looked emotional at times.

From The Daily Beast

In his place in the Queen's glass-sided Bentley was the Queen's lady-in-waiting Lady Farnham.

From The Daily Beast

Alternatively, they argue, she could become a lady-in-waiting to her sister and step inside the protective caress of the Palace.

From The Daily Beast

His wife is the niece of an earl who once worked as a lady-in-waiting to a royal duchess.

From The Daily Beast

As she came close to the queen, a lady-in-waiting rose up quite casually and moved away, and Jessie slipped into the vacant seat.

From Project Gutenberg

Her first lady-in-waiting was quite touched thereby, and exclaimed with admiration: "I recognize the blood of my kings."

From Project Gutenberg

I have the right to dismiss my lady-in-waiting if I think fit.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah—she glanced around quickly to see that none but her lady-in-waiting heard those last words.

From Project Gutenberg

She was lady-in-waiting to Madame la Dauphine, whom she followed into exile.

From Project Gutenberg