ladyship

American  

[ley-dee-ship] / ˈleɪ diˌʃɪp /

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) the form used in speaking of or to a woman having the title of Lady (usually preceded by her oryour ).

2. the rank of a lady.

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Ladyship British  

/ ˈleɪdɪʃɪp /

noun

1. a title used to address or refer to any peeress except a duchess

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Etymology

Origin of ladyship

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; lady, -ship

Example Sentences

“Show her ladyship the pretty present you made for the baby! Why, you sewed it all with your own sweet hands, didn’t you, dear?”

From Literature

“He wants to know which dock, your ladyship?”

From Literature

“Still, since Camilla is going to end up as Her Ladyship, married to Lord Peter Henslowe and living in two castles and their London place, I will naturally make my home with them. Camilla and I have never been parted, you know. We’ll be quite English. And I assume there’ll be servants.”

From Literature

Connie, for all her talent and ingenuity, has no social identity beyond her ladyship.

From New York Times

The minute she put her eyes upon Amy, Meg became conscious that her own dress hadn’t a Parisian air, that young Mrs. Moffat would be entirely eclipsed by young Mrs. Laurence, and that ‘her ladyship’ was altogether a most elegant and graceful woman.

From Literature