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leading lady

American  
[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

noun

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


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

They are handed an envelope from Santa containing a letter from a viewer asking how he can show his "leading lady" he loves her through food.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

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

One Saturday, Harold and his company put on The Minister’s Sweetheart in which the handsome village minister was in love with Gerry Morehouse, the leading lady.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith