painted lady

American  

[payn-tid lay-dee] / ˈpeɪn tɪd ˈleɪ di /

noun

1. a butterfly, Vanessa cardui, one of the most widespread butterflies in the world, having brownish-black and orange wings with four eyespots on each hindwing.

2. Often Painted Lady a Victorian or Edwardian house painted in at least three colors to enhance the intricate exterior detailing.

   Our painted lady is an 1868 Victorian with peach clapboards, periwinkle doors, and ornate features in white and pearl gray.

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painted lady British  

noun

1. a migratory nymphalid butterfly, Vanessa cardui, with pale brownish-red mottled wings

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Etymology

Origin of painted lady

First recorded in 1690–1700 painted lady for 1, 1975–80 painted lady for 2

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

painted lady

They shimmer from the pages like bright bits of stained glass, and their names are equally enchanting: common blue, painted lady, Queen of Spain fritillary, black-veined white and northern brown argus, among others.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Butterfly Conservation said it was the worst year recorded for the common blue, holly blue, green-veined white, small white, small tortoiseshell, painted lady and Scotch argus.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2024

Westmore got fired from her job, got death threats, got marriage proposals, and, along with her painted lady, got a permanent place in L.A. lore.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2024

However, some painted lady butterfly swarms have grown as large as 70 miles across, enough to be picked up by weather radar.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2022

She looked first at me, then at the painted lady.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

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