lady-in-waiting

noun

la·​dy-in-wait·​ing ˈlā-dē-in-ˈwā-tiŋ How to pronounce lady-in-waiting (audio)
plural ladies-in-waiting
Synonyms of lady-in-waitingnext
: a lady of a queen's or a princess's household appointed to wait on her

Examples of lady-in-waiting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Queen Mary had four devoted ladies-in-waiting. — Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026 This is honourable work for a lady-in-waiting to a queen, and the duty of a beloved sister-in-law. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025 Katharine spent years languishing as a lady-in-waiting to a lady-in-waiting. — Eva Wolchover, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025 Lady Pamela Hicks, a lady-in-waiting and bridesmaid of Queen Elizabeth, has died. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lady-in-waiting

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lady-in-waiting was in 1703

Rhymes for lady-in-waiting

See All Rhymes for lady-in-waiting

Browse Nearby Words

ladying
lady-in-waiting
ladyish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lady-in-waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lady-in-waiting. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lady-in-waiting

noun
la·​dy-in-wait·​ing
ˌlād-ē-in-ˈwāt-iŋ
plural ladies-in-waiting
: a lady appointed to attend or wait on a queen or princess

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