This is a little shout out to someone special..lol.. okay I tend to use the phrase ((lady friend)).. when introducing a new lady friend of mine.. to someone I know or someone who has interest in the relationship I'm in... with said lady friend..

Now!. some women find the phrase lady friend offensive.. so I'm here to ask this large audience..lol.. what's the proper term to use when introducing a new love interest to someone that you know..
Friend doesn't seem to quite fit the bill..
Especially if you're sleeping together..


So please give some options..lol..

Hummm, I would suggest to introduce them as your Date instead of Lady Friend...

Keep it simple at least date seems to refer to one you are at least interested in getting to know...

Hi! This is my new squeeze, isn't she just a doll?

I would just say, this is my friend "Jan", and you are holding hands or you'd have your hands over her shoulder. People would pick up on that.

I like that, cat

Rooster, that is so no1.

I agree with Cats response..let the body language take it from there..
what is wrong with 'friend' anyways? she is, isn't she? Why do you feel you need to classify the type?
This is my lover ;This is my platonic friend; This is my business partner..
the introducee's should 'get it'..

I usually just say "this is, (insert name here)," . My friends usually already know that she's not my accountant.

good one, motown

All good answers.. the question comes up sometimes ie) you're out and about with your new friend.. you run into an acquaintance and they say ...so who is this you're with?.
In that moment, I always feel a little awkward.. what do I say?..
I don't really want to call my lady friend just a friend... that has such a bad taste to it when you're in a relationship...
And I certainly don't want to say this is my girlfriend or boyfriend that implies something very serious.. especially if you haven't discussed... if you're in that stage of the relationship yet!. So I always revert back to.. lady friend... I think it says this is someone that's more than a friend to me..
. But for some women it carries a negative meaning ..why is that ?.I don't understand..
..

Ok, if I were in an early relationship with you,doing good and ran into a friend of yours. You can just say, this is "Sally", and we'd be holding hands, so nothing more to be said. I'd be good with it.

.. but what happens if you're not holding hands.. maybe he or she has a flipper..lol

Yeah, I have been in this very situation a few times.
I always use her name in introductions.

When I was married I also used my wife's name and add "my wife" because most of the time the introductions were done at work parties.

I have heard a girlfriend say to her friends that I was 'her boyfriend', Tom. I paid no attention to the term. I was and it was true, so no worries.
(She had a deep desire to impress others)

Most of the time when I introduce someone I'm 'with', it is implied before I say anything. The introduction is used to allow someone to know that person's name. Our names are the most important aspect of our identity. I use people's names when I talk, not titles.

I also refer to couples as "name & name". I use the woman's name first. Patty and Tim, Susan and Sam, Heather and Bob.
I use last names to introduce families - The Clarksons, The Gaylords, The Simpsons. Then I will introduce the members of the family by their names in order of their age.
This is Patty & Tim, their children are...Freda, Linda and Gilbert.

Yeah, can understand that can be awkward... I think 'lady friend' is a good one. Like you say, it expresses more care than 'friend'. I'd find 'friend' offensive, would feel like rejection to me since we wouldn't be just friends.
If you're not holding hands, you could grab her hand, or put your hand on the small of her back or cast her a loving look with a smile, then back at the acquaintance.
That is enough info for them and should also be enough to reassure your lady friend.

Why some women may find it offensive... because women want to know where they stand more than men do maybe? Want to know and feel they're special and that they're investing in something that's going somewhere.
Of course it all depends how long you've been seeing each other, have been intimate and how deep the feelings run, what you share and so on.

i will never forget the first time i was introduced as THE ONE to not only one person but to a lot. i was always red in the face with happiness...i hope it happens again. ooopsss

i think you and the lady friend could talk it over and decide the most fittingly comfortable definition of the relationship as introduced to other people.this takes away the guessing and disappointments