English

Alternative forms

• ladies

Noun

ladies'

1. possessive case of lady: belonging to some or all ladies.
2. (informal and euphemistic) Short for ladies' room: a lavatory intended for use by women.
   • 1968, John Fowles, The Magus, p. 568:

     Kemp left me to go to the ladies'. I pulled out a paperback I had in my pocket.

   • 1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, p. 335:

     "...Where's the ladies' in this joint? I've to powder me nose."

   • 2004, David Nobbs, Sex and Other Changes, p. 95:

     "I'm dressed as a woman, but I am still technically a man. I believe that to comply with the law of the land I ought to continue to use the Gents', but in order not to look out place I intend to use the Ladies' from now on. I trust none of you will grass on me..."

   • 2014, Trevor Dalton, Rhyme for Reason, p. 102:

     When he was quite satisfied with his handiwork, The Poet opened the toilet window, and then walked quickly from the gents' into the ladies'.

3. (informal) Short for ladies' department: a section of a department store where clothing is sold for adult females.

Usage notes

In reference to lavatories, now much more common in British English without the apostrophe: ladies.

Synonyms

• (facility for urination and defecation): See Wikisaurus:bathroom

See also

• Appendix:Special uses of possessives in English

Anagrams

• aisled, deasil, ideals, sailed