Úrhölgy

Úrhölgy is a Hungarian term that refers to a noblewoman or a high-status lady. The word combines úr (lord, master) and hölgy (lady), and thus etymologically suggests “the lord’s lady” or a lady of rank. In modern Hungarian, the compound is rare and not part of everyday speech; standard forms for addressing a woman are simply hölgy or titles based on rank.

Úrhölgy appears chiefly in historical narratives, period literature, or translated works that seek an archaising or ceremonial tone. In such contexts it can function as a formal or ceremonial address for a woman of noble rank, similar to the English “lady” or “the noblewoman.” The exact implications—whether wife of a lord or any noblewoman—depend on the text and era, as noble hierarchies and forms of address varied across regions and times.

In contemporary usage, úrhölgy is typically encountered as a stylistic device rather than a living term, and may be considered archaic or stylistically marked. The term thus sits within the broader tradition of Hungarian etiquette and noble titles, but it remains uncommon outside historical or literary contexts. See also: Hungarian nobility, etiquette, titles, hölgy.