leading lady

[lee-ding]

noun

1. an actress who plays the principal female role in a motion picture or play.

Word History and Origins

Origin of leading lady¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

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.

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This is what we’re here for, after all, and any shark movie that isn’t willing to make proper use of its leading lady is a no-go.

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An easy, breezy recommendation, “Eleanor the Great” makes only one stumble, a scene that blurts its themes outright, but I suppose that’s in keeping with its leading lady’s big mouth.

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At 19, she was a Broadway leading lady in "Next to Normal."

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I was in total shock: I’ll never be able to play a leading lady again.

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