ladies' day
C1informal
Definition
Meaning
A day at a sports event, racecourse, or social club when women are admitted at a reduced price or given special attention.
Any day or event primarily focused on or catering to women, often involving special promotions, activities, or recognition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term originated in sporting contexts (especially horse racing) but has broadened to commercial and social events. The apostrophe placement ('ladies' day' not 'lady's day') is standard, indicating a day for multiple ladies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More strongly associated with horse racing and cricket in the UK. In the US, it is more commonly used for promotional events at bars, clubs, or retail.
Connotations
UK: Often implies tradition, formal attire (e.g., fancy hats at Ascot), and social occasion. US: Often implies commercial promotion, nightlife, or retail discounts.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to established sporting traditions. In US English, it is common in marketing but less rooted in tradition.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Event/venue] holds a ladies' dayIt's ladies' day at [location]Admission is free on ladies' dayVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dressed for ladies' day”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing to attract female customers with discounts or special offers.
Academic
Rare; might appear in sociological studies of gender and leisure.
Everyday
Used when discussing social plans, events, or promotions.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The ladies'-day crowd was elegantly dressed.
- She wore a ladies'-day hat.
American English
- The bar has a ladies'-day special on cocktails.
- It's a ladies'-day promotion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The club has a ladies' day every Tuesday.
- On ladies' day, women pay less.
- We're going to the races because it's ladies' day.
- The pub's ladies' day offer includes a free drink.
- Ascot's ladies' day is famous for extravagant hats and fashion.
- The marketing team designed a new ladies' day promotion to increase mid-week sales.
- The sociological study examined the evolution of ladies' day from a genteel sporting tradition to a mainstream commercial tactic.
- Critics argue that some ladies' day promotions patronise women by reducing them to a target demographic for alcohol sales.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LADIES' DAY: Imagine LADIES getting a special DAY out at the races.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAY IS A CONTAINER FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT (for women).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'день леди'. Use 'женский день' for the general concept, but note that 'День дам' might be used for specific traditional events like at the races.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'lady's day' (singular possessive)
- Using it to refer to International Women's Day (8th March), which is a different concept.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ladies' day' most traditionally British?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. International Women's Day (8th March) is a global day celebrating women's achievements and advocating for equality. 'Ladies' day' is typically a commercial or social event with discounts or special focus on women.
Usually, yes. Ladies' day typically means special offers or attention for women, but men are generally not excluded from attending the venue.
Because 'ladies' is a plural noun. The day belongs to or is for multiple ladies, hence the plural possessive form: ladies'.
It can be perceived as slightly old-fashioned. Some view it as harmless promotion, while others criticise it as potentially patronising or reinforcing gender stereotypes. Context and tone are important.